The Conservatives’ Brexit Deal is definitely dead.  Yesterday’s vote in the House of Commons was a resounding defeat of Theresa May’s Brexit deal – the biggest defeat in Parliament ever. After months of incompetence, indecision and ineptitude, Theresa May’s Brexit Deal is dead.  It is also clear that Jeremy Corbyn’s bids to oust her are […]

Although it has now been forgotten as a result of the Government’s Brexit woes, earlier this week a 10-year plan for the NHS was unveiled – and like Brexit, I think it has some serious shortcomings. Talk of moving money towards prevention is welcome, but hollow given that the Government has removed £80 million from this […]

Earlier today, I was pleased to kick off the New Year by inviting local people submit nominations for this year’s Young People’s Civic Awards Scheme, which aims to promote and reward community spirit in young people. The scheme, run by Woking Borough Council, recognises children and young people who have achieved exceptional success, in areas that […]

I would like to wish everyone in Woking Borough a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Many of us will be spending the festive period with our families and friends, reminiscing about the year that’s passed, and getting ready to ring in the New Year full of resolutions for 2019. However, as we […]

Earlier today, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services published a report into the Surrey Fire and Rescue Service which states the service is ‘inadequate’. This is yet another case of a service run by Surrey County Council being judged as ‘requiring improvement’ or ‘inadequate’.  Perhaps the report’s most troubling criticism is […]

I am pleased to see that Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will pay fees for European Union (EU) citizens wishing to apply for ‘settled status’ post-Brexit, but has slammed the Conservative Government for putting EU nationals’ rights and NHS staffing in Surrey and Woking at risk. Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS […]

During yesterday’s Surrey County Council meeting, my Lib Dem colleagues and I voted against proposals put forward by the Council’s Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) that recommended a £10,000 be paid to Deputy Cabinet Members, a set of roles only introduced by the Conservative Leader of the Council in May. It is interesting to note that […]

I fear the Conservatives’ botched Brexit will leave people poorer and MPs need to give the public the final say on the deal. During the debate on Tuesday, the Lib Dem MPs will be arguing for people to be given a final say, including the option to remain in the European Union (EU). The Lib […]

As the Mayor of Woking, I recently ran a Christmas Card competition which saw children from my former school, Horsell Church of England Junior School, take part. Over 40 pupils from Horsell’s Junior School submitted potential designs for me to choose my favourite.  The winning design will be used for the Mayor’s Annual Christmas Card, which […]

An investigation by the nationwide homeless charity Shelter has reinforced why I was right to choose the York Road Project has my Mayoral Charity. Shelter’s report ‘Homelessness in Great Britain: the numbers behind the story’ shows that homelessness is increasing across the country, with one in 52 people in the capital now homeless – and […]