In today's episode (recorded in Friday 24th November 2023), Jacqui and Al discuss the full fallout from the Autumn Statement.

We also discuss the rise in populism and nationalism signalled by the electoral victories of far right candidates in recent elections in The Netherlands and in Argentina. What does this signal? Why is populism on the rise? And what are the geopolitical consequences?

Thanks for listening.

For any comments. questions, or suggestions for future episodes, contact us on [email protected] or send us a message via our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/surreyheathcast

Presented by Jacqui Hames & Dr Al Pinkerton

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In today's episode (recorded in Friday 27th October 2023), Jacqui and Al discuss the war of words surrounding the Israel-Gaza crisis that is embroiling everyone from the Secretary-General of the United Nations to the BBC and what that reveals about the challenge of understanding and interpreting such a timeless and seemingly intractable geopolitical issue.

We also discuss the recent by-election in Mid Bedfordshire and, closer to home, the possible judicial review into NHS staff bonuses (a BIG issue in Surrey Heath), the growing petition on the closure of the M3 Bagshot-Lightwater footbridge, and gratuitously plug the upcoming Surrey Heath Liberal Democrat dinner, with celebrity guest, Sue Perkins.

LINKS:

M3 Footbridge petition: https://www.change.org/p/prevent-the-two-year-closure-of-the-bagshot-heath-footbridge-over-the-m3?source_location=topic_page

NHS bonus judicial review: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-67220186#

Surrey Heath Liberal Democrat dinner: https://events.libdems.org.uk/events/51819/surrey-heath-liberal-democrats-annual-dinner-2023-with-sue-perkins-sarah-olney-mp

Thanks for listening.

For any comments. questions, or suggestions for future episodes, contact us on [email protected] or send us a message via our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/surreyheathcast

Presented by Jacqui Hames & Dr Al Pinkerton

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In this special episode of Surrey Heath Cast (recorded: Friday 13 October, 2023), Jacqui and Al discuss the appalling acts of terrorism in Israel this week, and take the long view by exploring the history of Israel-Palestine relations and how we got to where we are now, and what might happen next. 

Thanks for listening.

For any comments. questions, or suggestions for future episodes, contact us on [email protected] or send us a message via our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/surreyheathcast

Presented by Jacqui Hames & Dr Al Pinkerton

Find us on Apple Podcasts, Facebook, and YouTube.

Fresh from the Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference in Bournemouth, Jacqui and Al reflect on our experiences as first time attendees - the highlights, the debates, the speeches, the votes, and the most impactful fringe events.

This year's Lib Dem autumn conference was the first in-person autumn conference since 2019, due to a combination of Covid-19 (2020-21) and then, in 2022, the Queen's funeral. So this was a big one - an opportunity to discuss and debate the policies that will be presented to the British public in the next Lib Dem manifesto, whenever a general election is called.

Between us, we attended incredible discussions on:

• electoral reform,
• industrial strategy,
• prison reform,
• dignity in dying,
• fast fashion legislation,
• global security challenges,
• duty of care in higher education,
• transforming the UK's approach to housing and planning,
• securing a fair deal for the armed forces,
• restoring standards in public life,
• energy and climate change,
• defence, and our commitment to Ukraine

...as well as Ed Davey's powerful Leader's speech.

So, what were our highlights? Listen on.

Thanks for listening.

For any comments. questions, or suggestions for future episodes, contact us on [email protected] or send us a message via our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/surreyheathcast

Presented by Jacqui Hames & Dr Al Pinkerton

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In today's episode, Jacqui and Al focus on two big issues currently affecting Surrey Heath.

First, we are delighted to welcome Councillor Shaun Mcdonald, the Leader of Surrey Heath Borough Council, to discuss this week's news that Surrey Heath Borough Council is facing potential bankruptcy in as little as two years - the result of reckless property speculation by previous administrations that have left Surrey Heath as the 6th most indebted local authority in England and on Moody's top-20 bankruptcy watch list. This week, Surrey Heath Borough Council published all the documents in their possession related to the questionable purchases, which took place in 2016: https://www.surreyheath.gov.uk/council-finances/purchase-square-and-house-fraser-store

We also discuss the ongoing threat posed by property developers to the much-valued Heathpark Woods in the village of Windlesham. We welcome the dedicated local campaigner Sandy Reed, to talk about the woods, their value to the village as a green barrier, and her petition which is gaining considerable local attention: https://www.change.org/p/save-heathpark-wood-from-destruction

Thanks for listening.

For any comments. questions, or suggestions for future episodes, contact us on [email protected] or send us a message via our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/surreyheathcast

Presented by Jacqui Hames & Dr Al Pinkerton

Find us on Apple Podcasts, Facebook, and YouTube.

**NEW SERIES**

In this first episode in the new series, Jacqui and Al get stuck into the big stories of the past few weeks:

What will be the impact of forcing criminals into the dock during sentencing proceedings? Why has Sunak parachuted Grant Shapps into Defence? What are the Lib Dems chances in Mid-Bedfordshire? And whatever happened to Michael Gove's promises of a "Green Brexit" given the government's announcement this week that they intend scrap environmental regulations on house builders.

Finally, we take our regular look at Al's diary, which has included talking to residents in Camberley about Michael Gove and his flip flopping on the environment - see this Guardian article: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/aug/31/foul-fumes-and-sewage-spills-in-tory-stronghold-of-michael-gove

Thanks for listening.

For any comments. questions, or suggestions for future episodes, contact us on [email protected] or send us a message via our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/surreyheathcast

Presented by Jacqui Hames & Dr Al Pinkerton

Find us on Apple Podcasts, Facebook, and YouTube.

**NEW EPISODE OUT NOW: ATLANTIC ADVENTURES; WEAPONISING ULEZ; AND THE GREAT CAMBERLEY STINK.**

In this end-of-season special episode, Jacqui and Al are joined by inspirational Atlantic rowers (and Surrey Heath residents) Andy Hodgson and Rosalind Chaston, who tell us all about their recently-completed voyage from Gran Canaria to Barbados, undertaken entirely under their own steam over 46 days and in a rowing boat that was no more than 7 metres from bow to stern.  https://www.atlanticescapade.com/

As well as being an extraordinary feat of endurance, Andy and Rosalind's adventure raised funds for two wonderful charities - the Blue Marine Foundation and the RNLI. Donations can still be made via their Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/team/atlanticescapade

We also talk about the "great Thames Water stink" currently blighting the lives of Camberley residents and businesses, plus the newly-released report that exposes social media manipulation during the recent Uxbridge by-election and the weaponisation of the ULEZ issue. 

Finally, we take our regular look at Al's diary...

We're now taking a short summer break, but will return with a new season of Surrey Heath Cast beginning on 31st August.

Thanks for listening.

For any comments. questions, or suggestions for future episodes, contact us on [email protected] or send us a message via our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/surreyheathcast

Presented by Jacqui Hames & Dr Al Pinkerton

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In today's episode, Jacqui and Al dissect the three big by-election results form this week, including the amazing result for Sarah Dyke, the new Liberal Democrat MP for Somerton and Frome. 

We also discuss the likely response from the Tory party, which looks set to pour fuel on the fire of the so called "culture war" with a strategy of "dividing and ruling" the British public. Part of that strategy looks likely (judging by Michael Gove's interview with today's Sunday Telegraph) to seek electoral advantage by rolling back the UK's commitment to tackling climate change. But at what social, environmental and political cost?

The LGBT Veterans Review, chaired by Lord Etherton, was recently published and regular listeners will know that we've been following and supporting this process from the outset. This week the PM issued a full apology on behalf of the UK, with compensation to follow.

And finally, we take our regular look at Al's  Diary from this past week - 8 hours of which was spent crawling along the creaking A303 from Cornwall back to Surrey Heath.

Thanks for listening.

For any comments. questions, or suggestions for future episodes, contact us on [email protected] or send us a message via our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/surreyheathcast

Presented by Jacqui Hames & Dr Al Pinkerton

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In this episode, Jacqui and Al talk to Prof Steve Barnett (University of Westminster) about the Online Harms Bill - a hugely significant piece of the legislation that's currently meandering through parliament.

We also talk about the future of Frimley Park Hospital, which is slated for rebuilding, and consider the possibility of an urban hospital at the heart of our community.

And finally, we talk about "Al's Diary" and recent visits to Collingwood School in Camberley and Gordon's School in West End. 

Thanks for listening.

For any comments. questions, or suggestions for future episodes, contact us on [email protected] or send us a message via our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/surreyheathcast

Presented by Jacqui Hames & Dr Al Pinkerton

Find us on Apple Podcasts, Facebook, and YouTube.

In this episode, Jacqui and Al dissect the events of the past weeks, beginning with the publication of the Privileges Committee report into the conduct of Boris Johnson and the parliamentary debate on Monday (from which our MP abstained from voting). With the Bank of England hiking interest rates to 5% this week, we discuss the impact on mortgage holders and renters - and what might be done to keep people in their homes during this unfolding crisis. 

We also talk about what Al has been up to in Surrey Heath and beyond - including his environmentally-conscious attempt to avoid air travel this past week by taking the train to northern Germany; and a truly inspirational visit to Collingwood College in Camberley where, this week, Al met some extraordinary students (and their teachers) who've just completed their GSCE in Citizenship in 1 year, and are tackling the challenge of littering in their community. There's hope for the future!

Thanks for listening.

For any comments. questions, or suggestions for future episodes, contact us on [email protected] or send us a message via our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/surreyheathcast

Presented by Jacqui Hames & Dr Al Pinkerton

Find us on Apple Podcasts, Facebook, and YouTube.