Surrey Heath Cast: notes from the 'Blue Wall'

**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.atlanticesca...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

In this belated Election Results Special, Jacqui and Al dissect the extraordinary local elections results that swept the Surrey Heath Liberal Democrats into the leadership of Surrey Heath Borough Council on 4th May. We also look ahead to the next General Election - whenever that might come - and Al's campaign to oust our sitting MP, Michael Gove. What will be the issues that define that national campaign? What's the next challenge for the Surrey Heath Liberal Democrats in this "blue wa...

In this Election Day Special - recorded LIVE at the Surrey Heath Lib Dem Campaign HQ - we dissect the Surrey Heath Lib Dems Borough election campaign 2023, explore what a polling day operation looks like, and look forward to results day…. Special guets: —Mike Thomason, Chair: Surrey Heath Liberal Democrats —Matt Hodges-Long, Elections Officer: Surrey Heath Liberal Democrats Thanks for listening. For any comments. questions, or suggestions for future episodes, contact us on surreyheathcast@...

In this episode, Al and Jacqui talk about a big week in politics - from Boris Johnson’s appearance in front of the House of Commons’ Privileges Committee and Baroness Casey’s report into the Met Police (and the response from Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner).We are joined by Surrey Heath Borough Councillor, Morgan Rise, to ask: “what has local government ever done for us?” The answer is "a lot" - even if most people don’t know the difference between parish, borough and county councils, and fewer than 40% of registered voters ever turnout at local government elections. We also discuss, with an eye to upcoming local elections in May 2023, what it takes to be a local councillor, their roles and responsibilities, and how to balance these with 'the day job'.Thanks for joining us, thanks for listening, and do please get in touch to suggest ideas for future shows.Thanks for listening. For any comments. questions, or suggestions for future episodes, contact us on surreyheathcast@gmail.com or send us a message via our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/surreyheathcastPresented by Jacqui Hames & Dr Al PinkertonFind us on Apple Podcasts, Facebook, and YouTube.

In this episode, Al and Jacqui reflect on this week's terrible events in Turkey and Syria, where a series of earthquakes have claimed close to 20,000 lives so far.  We talk about 'double disasters', and the impact of disasters on already disaster-hit nations such as Syria, but also about the power politics that all too frequently play out through international humanitarian responses.Disaster Emergency CommitteeRed CrossWe also talk about the wide social anxiety, triggered by the discovery of a Chinese spy balloon over the continental United States, the reanimation of Cold War-era fears, and fears about the inviolability of US sovereignty. And finally, as Al is off to the Falkland Islands on Sunday, we talk about the islands and the Falklands Forty Schools Competition. Keep in touch, and thanks for listening. Al & JacquiThanks for listening. For any comments. questions, or suggestions for future episodes, contact us on surreyheathcast@gmail.com or send us a message via our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/surreyheathcastPresented by Jacqui Hames & Dr Al PinkertonFind us on Apple Podcasts, Facebook, and YouTube.

In this episode, Al dials in from Nicosia - the last divided capital in Europe - and we get a chance to talk about the origins of the cultural, social, political and geographical divisions that continue to segment Cyprus, 49 years after the events of 1974.We also talk about the latest development in Ukraine and the announcement this week that the US, the UK and now - belatedly - Germany will be sending tanks. What does this mean for the conflict? What does it mean for Germany? And what does this mean for Nato?And finally, closer to home, we pay tribute to the companies and people who are helping to support our communities during the cost of living crisis.Thanks for listening. For any comments. questions, or suggestions for future episodes, contact us on surreyheathcast@gmail.com or send us a message via our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/surreyheathcastPresented by Jacqui Hames & Dr Al PinkertonFind us on Apple Podcasts, Facebook, and YouTube.

In this episode, the first of 2023, Jacqui and Al catch up on the big stories in the news from the past few weeks, including the Prince Harry revelations, and what they tell us about the relationship between the UK media and the monarchy; the big political New Year speeches and promises from the political party leaders; and the unfolding “Westminster Accounts” story, which has revealed so much about the additional income of our MPs and begs the question: who do our MPs work for?Finally, we discuss Surrey Heath Borough Council’s newly opened Summer 2023 Intern Programme – for undergraduates and graduates to work on real projects for the Council during Summer 2023 with the opportunity to gain valuable experience within a Local Authority.  Fore further details: https://www.surreyheath.gov.uk/council/jobs/internshipsThanks for listening. For any comments. questions, or suggestions for future episodes, contact us on surreyheathcast@gmail.com or send us a message via our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/surreyheathcastPresented by Jacqui Hames & Dr Al PinkertonFind us on Apple Podcasts, Facebook, and YouTube.

In this episode we talk about the government's plans to enforce mandatory ID for voting in the UK and the injustices that this looks set to bake into our electoral process and ask "what could possibly motivate this government to suppress the votes of the young and the poor?"We also meet Oscar Lawson, who, during the Covid lockdowns aged only 16, started writing his first novel. Now aged 18, Oscar tells us about the journey to getting the book, "Tiger", published and the charity he's supporting through its publication. Programme links:—Cost of Living resources, courtesy of Ash Grange Nursery and Primary School: https://www.ash-grange.surrey.sch.uk/cost-of-living-support-information/—"Tiger" (2022), by Oscar Lawson:Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tiger-Secret-Intelligence-Looking-Brilliant/dp/1398456128The Honeypot Children's Charity: https://www.honeypot.org.uk/—Windesham Pram Race: https://www.pramrace.com/Thanks for listening. For any comments. questions, or suggestions for future episodes, contact us on surreyheathcast@gmail.com or send us a message via our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/surreyheathcastPresented by Jacqui Hames & Dr Al PinkertonFind us on Apple Podcasts, Facebook, and YouTube.

In this episode we take a look back at Jeremy Hunt's autumn budget and test whether we predicted it right (spoiler: we did, mostly!).We also talk about the UK housing scandal/crisis and how that's playing out in "Blue Wall" constituencies like Surrey Heath. If you have been affected by poor inadequate housing, or are facing the threat of homelessness, you can contact:Citizens Advice Surrey Heath on 0808 278 7936 (Free)Surrey Heath Borough Council on 01276 707100 or email: housing@surreyheath.gov.ukContact us with questions, comments or suggestions: surreyheathcast@gmail.comThanks for listening. For any comments. questions, or suggestions for future episodes, contact us on surreyheathcast@gmail.com or send us a message via our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/surreyheathcastPresented by Jacqui Hames & Dr Al PinkertonFind us on Apple Podcasts, Facebook, and YouTube.

This is Episode 1 of the brand new "Surrey Heath Cast", presented by Dr Al Pinkerton (Geopolitics/Royal Holloway and Liberal Democrat PPC for Surrey Heath) and Jacqui Hames (BBC Crimewatch).Each week we will explore the things that really matter in the international, national and local news - and place a distinctly Surrey Heath lens on the issues affecting our lives. We will also be charting Al's journey as the next MP for Surrey Heath, talking about the issues that really matter to him and the people of Surrey Heath, understanding his motivations, and discussing the things that really need to be changed and improved in our community.Thanks for listening. For any comments. questions, or suggestions for future episodes, contact us on surreyheathcast@gmail.com or send us a message via our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/surreyheathcastPresented by Jacqui Hames & Dr Al PinkertonFind us on Apple Podcasts, Facebook, and YouTube.

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 surreyheathcast@gmail.com or send us a message via our Facebook page: https://www.faceboo...

In this episode Jacqui and Al talk about some of the biggest local and national issues they've been engaging with over the last few weeks. We open by talking about the pay injustice being felt by members of the NHS family employed through Community Interest Companies who, now, find themselves locked out of the recently-agreed pay rise, despite working throughout the pandemic. Woking Borough Council have, this week, been forced into effective bankruptcy by the government - the end prod...