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 product of a decade and more of irresponsible property speculation by the Conservatives who led the Council for so long. We explore the fallout, and the short- and longterm consequences. Finally, Jacqui has been busy this week offering insights into the Prince Harry phone hacking case (in her capacity as a Director of the Hacked Off campaign) and gives us an exclusive insight into that case and the ongoing challenge of press regulation in the UK.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/surreyheathcastPresented by Jacqui Hames & Dr Al PinkertonFind us on Apple Podcasts, Facebook, and YouTube.

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 wall" seat?And, finally, we talk about the somewhat delayed election in Frimley Green - "countermanded" because of the sad death of one of the Conservative candidates. The Lib Dems are standing three amazing candidates in Frimley Green and are appealing for support to help get them over the line.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/surreyheathcastPresented by Jacqui Hames & Dr Al PinkertonFind us on Apple Podcasts, Facebook, and YouTube.

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 DemocratsThanks 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/surreyheathcastPresented by Jacqui Hames & Dr Al PinkertonFind us on Apple Podcasts, Facebook, and YouTube.

In this episode (the first after a short intermission for Easter), Al and Jacqui dissect the latest happenings in Sudan - drawing on Al's experiences in Khartoum and northern Sudan last year. We reflect on the UK Local Elections, which are now only 2 weeks away. In what was once the "safest Tory seat in the UK", the Liberal Democrats are competing hard to take control of Surrey Heath Borough Council and have laid out a comprehensive vision for how they would administer SHBC. We also talk about the new Voter ID requirements.Finally, we share details of Surrey Heath's official celebration of the Coronation, to be held on Sunday 7th May at Frimley Lodge Park . All details available from the Mayor's Charity Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/MayorsCharitySHBCThanks 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/surreyheathcastPresented by Jacqui Hames & Dr Al PinkertonFind us on Apple Podcasts, Facebook, and YouTube.

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 [email protected] 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.