The Post Office has now confirmed that the Burpham branch is scheduled to close on 22 August 2026 following Morrisons’ decision to close the store that it is located within.  

As soon as I was alerted to the possibility of the closure, I contacted Morrisons to ask them for their reasons for closing and to understand the considerations it had taken into account when making its decision, including the impact on local residents and the knock-on effect on the Post Office service. 

Whilst the closure is going ahead, the Post Office have confirmed that they are actively seeking a long-term replacement for the service in Burpham. Applications are now open for individuals or businesses interested in operating a Post Office branch in the area. Residents who may be interested, or who know of a suitable local business, can find further information through the Burpham Post Office branch advert – Run a Post Office. 

Burpham Post Office branch advert - Run a Post Office 

The Post Office have also launched a consultation setting out details of the closure and outlining alternative branches available nearby. Information will also be displayed in the branch. 

Please see below for more information about the consultation.

I understand that this news will be disappointing for many residents, particularly those who rely on local Post Office services and may face challenges travelling further afield. Access to these services is especially important for older and more vulnerable members of our community. 

I will continue to engage with both Morrisons and the Post Office and will support all efforts to ensure that Burpham retains the much-needed community Post Office counter service that local residents depend on. 

I've called on the Government to scrap the unfair jobs tax, as former Health Secretary, Alan Milburn’s review into youth unemployment – published last week – shows over a million young people are not in education, employment or training (NEET). That's one in 8 young people – and rising.

This is appalling, but sadly the Milburn Review only confirms what we already knew - far too many young people are seeing their hopes and ambitions ripped away just as they enter adult life.

Here in Guildford constituency, the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures have revealed a 12% rise in 18–24-year-olds claiming unemployment related benefits between April 2025 and April 2026.

I’ve consistently opposed the rise in Employer National Insurance Contributions (the "jobs tax”), and business rates hikes that we Lib Dems knew would hit opportunities for young people, especially on the high street where many get their first start.  

We repeatedly voted against the changes and will continue pushing the Government to urgently act to repair the mess they have made and get our economy growing, so our young people can build a future they can believe in.   

I have been proud to attend several civic events in Guildford over the past couple of weeks, including taking part in the Civic Procession to welcome the new Mayor of Guildford ahead of Sunday’s annual Civic Service. 

The service marked the beginning of the mayoral year for Cllr Jane Tyson. 

Importantly, I joined fellow civic, faith and community leaders to reflect on how we can continue to build safe, inclusive communities – where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their faith or beliefs. 

We stand firmly alongside people of all faiths and none, and we reaffirm our commitment to working with residents, partners and community organisations to promote understanding, cohesion and safety.

As part of this, we came together to make a shared pledge against hate crime.

Thank you to George Abbot School for hosting me last week. It was a pleasure to spend time with Year 12 students, discussing my own journey into politics and what the day-to-day role of an MP really involves.

The students brought thoughtful and wide-ranging questions, covering topics such as the current political landscape, jobs, university pathways, apprenticeships and housing – all issues that are central to their futures.

I was also pleased to discuss the importance of democratic participation, including why voting matters, and to meet with the school’s Student Leadership Team. Their enthusiasm, insight and commitment to representing their peers was impressive. I have no doubt they will be important future voices in Guildford.

I was also pleased to discuss the importance of democratic participation, including why voting matters, and to meet with the school’s Student Leadership Team. Their enthusiasm, insight and commitment to representing their peers was impressive. I have no doubt they will be important future voices in Guildford.

Politics has dominated the headlines over the past couple of weeks between the local elections, the King’s Speech – and a by-election that could pave the way for a new Prime Minister.

With all the distraction – coupled with an unambitious agenda for this session of Parliament – it's hardly surprising that the content of the King’s Speech has largely gone unreported. It’s a crying shame that this Government has once again failed to grasp the scale of the challenges facing our country and have missed yet another opportunity to deliver the change that people really need.

There was no meaningful action to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, rebuild our NHS and social care system, improve food security or reform our electoral system to restore trust in politics. It’s little wonder that a growing number of Labour MPs are coming out against the Prime Minister, with some calling for him to resign and others urging him to set out a timetable for his departure.

However, it wasn’t all bad. Several bills reflect campaigns the Liberal Democrats and I have long championed…

• The Energy Independence Bill moves in the right direction on breaking the link between gas prices and household energy bills, and investing in homegrown renewable power.  
• The Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill begins the process of ending the feudal leasehold system that has trapped so many homeowners – including many in Guildford – in unfair and costly arrangements.  
• The European Partnership Bill seeks to reduce trade barriers with our largest trading partner, should bring real benefits for local businesses and families facing cost-of-living pressures. 
• The Clean Water Bill takes long-overdue steps to hold water companies to account for sewage dumping in our rivers and seas.

There are several other bills in this King's Speech that I'll be watching closely. Each has the potential to make a real difference to the lives of residents across Guildford and our villages, and I will be pushing the Government to ensure they deliver on their promise:

• Overnight Visitor Levy Bill: Gives mayors the power to raise money from tourism and reinvest it locally. 
• Social Housing Renewal Bill: Protects existing social housing stock and strengthens rights for domestic abuse victims in social housing. 
• Education for All Bill: Transforms support for children with SEND, with over £4 billion of investment and a focus on early, local help. 
• Draft Conversion Practices Bill: Delivers a trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices, filling gaps in criminal law to protect people from abusive attempts to change their sexual orientation or gender identity. 
• Railways and Passenger Benefits Bill: Establishes Great British Railways, simplifying fares and putting passengers at the centre of a publicly owned network. 
• Draft Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Bill: Modernises outdated licensing laws to make journeys safer, particularly for women and girls, and improves accessibility for disabled passengers. 
• Tackling State Threats Bill: Strengthens powers to disrupt foreign state actors and their proxies operating in the UK. 
• Highways (Financing) Bill: Unlocks private investment in major road infrastructure, reducing the burden on taxpayers. 

With a record number of Liberal Democrat MPs now in Parliament, we will continue to hold the Government to account and push to ensure these bills are as strong as possible – delivering the real change communities need in Guildford and across the country.

If you want to help us deliver that real change, you can become a Member of the Lib Dems today and join us in that fight