This week, the Prime Minister's former chief of staff admitted that Labour had not done enough to prepare for Government. Two years on from the General Election, many people will understandably be asking whether that lack of preparation is now being felt in practice.
Promises to cut household energy bills by £300 have not been realised, further industrial action in the NHS is being planned despite another pay award, and schools are being asked to absorb additional costs despite already stretched budgets. These are issues that affect families and communities across our constituency. As your Member of Parliament, I will continue to hold the Government to account while working constructively on the issues that matter most to local residents. Andy Burnham is likely to become PM and despite not agreeing with him politically, I hope for the good of the country he is able to help get things back on track. Only time will tell.
Greg
FEATURED NEWS
Safer streets for Frensham schoolchildren
Staff and parents at St Mary’s Infants have always been worried about speeding and road safety outside the school due to the 40mph speed limit directly outside on Frensham Road and surrounding areas. I’m pleased to say after meetings with the Headteacher and local Council, speed limits are being reduced down to 30mph in the next academic year.
Launch of report on choking prevention
I hosted Care England’s launch of its good practice guide on preventing choking deaths among people with learning disabilities on Wednesday. Chief Executive, Professor Martin Greene, attended and we both spoke to the report’s value in helping to tackle this issue while respecting day-to-day life.
Summer carnival fun in Farnham and Liphook
It was a pleasure to meet so many residents and volunteers on Saturday at the carnivals in both Farnham and Liphook – two fantastic events that showcase the very best of our community. Congratulations to everyone who took part, and thank you to all the volunteers, organisers and supporters who made both events such a success.
Delays continue on pension payments
Some recipients of civil service pensions across our area have unacceptably been left for extended periods without any payments, with one Farnham resident waiting over 10 months. I raised this with the Cabinet Office, who continue said they will hold Capita to deliver by the end of June. Now it’s July, Labour simply says it will evaluate the data - with no timeline.
A NEW FRIMLEY PARK HOSPITAL
I recently visited Frimley Park Hospital to meet the team and receive an update on the long-awaited rebuild project, which was confirmed by the previous Conservative Government in May 2023.
There is no doubt that a new hospital is urgently needed. Frimley Park faces significant challenges due to reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), and the existing buildings cannot continue indefinitely. The priority must be to ensure local people continue to have access to the high-quality acute hospital services they rely on.
While plans for a new hospital continue to progress, I also raised the concerns many residents have expressed about the proposed location. I made clear to the Trust that it must provide much greater detail on how the site was selected and how issues such as transport, accessibility and local infrastructure will be addressed.
I also secured a commitment from the Trust to hold public consultation events in our area, so residents from Farnham, Haslemere, Bordon and the surrounding villages have the opportunity to ask questions and have their views heard.
If the proposed site goes ahead, it is essential that my constituents have proper access by road, rail and public transport. I will continue to scrutinise the plans, hold the Trust to account, and ensure local voices are at the heart of this process, while working to secure the new hospital our area urgently needs.
DEVASTATING MATERNITY CARE REPORT
The publication of Donna Ockenden’s independent review into maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust is truly devastating. This largest-ever NHS maternity inquiry examined nearly 2,500 families and uncovered hundreds of cases of potentially avoidable harm and death - including dozens of stillbirths, neonatal deaths, and maternal deaths - caused by systemic failures, a toxic bullying culture, poor leadership, and a persistent failure to listen to women and their families. Many of these issues were known for years but not properly addressed. Families who turned to the NHS at their most vulnerable moment were let down, and the report rightly demands urgent change.
I welcome the Government’s immediate actions to improve maternity safety, but warm words and sympathy are not enough. Families deserve real answers and accountability. In Parliament, I have pressed Ministers on why key commitments, such as the promised Maternity Taskforce, have been delayed - and why Donna Ockenden, who has the trust of families and has delivered tough but fair reviews, had not originally been appointed to lead it. We need every maternity unit to meet robust safety standards, with clear timelines, transparent progress reporting, and proper accountability for those in charge. Lasting change requires strong leadership across the NHS and a culture that puts listening to every woman at its heart. I will continue to hold the Government to account on this vital issue.
THIS WEEK’S CASEWORK 'WINS’
I have been continuing to support residents across the constituency on a range of local issues. In Bordon, I was pleased to help a resident secure a second support assessment following representations to East Hampshire District Council. I was also contacted by a constituent regarding a collapsed sewer and uncertainty over responsibility for the drainage system. It has since been confirmed that the drains have been adopted by Thames Water, and I immediately escalated this to their executives. I am pleased that the blockage has now been cleared, and the company will be returning to remove tarmac left by the developers.
Elsewhere, in Farnham, an elderly resident has finally had her telephone service installed after a prolonged delay. I have also been working with our County Councillor for Liphook, Headley and Grayshott Division, Debbie Curnow-Ford, on concerns about fly-tipping on Ministry of Defence land. Following representations to the Government, I am delighted that the Minister has confirmed the affected area will be cleared.
