Guildford’s MP Has More Success with PMQs and Calls for Pennies to be Spent on Keeping Toilets Open

Published on: 21 May, 2023
Updated on: 23 May, 2023

Angela Richardson in the House of Commons

By Martin Giles

Guildford’s MP Angela Richardson has asked yet more questions of the prime minister in the last two weeks. She had three other questions selected between December 2022 and March this year but puts down her success to pure luck. “They are drawn in a ballot,” she said.

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On Wednesday (May 17) Richardson called for public toilets to remain open into the early hours of the morning.

After the PMQ session, she said: “In the early hours of Saturday morning last week [May 13]”, I was out with Kathy, Pete, Jo and Tim, who volunteer as#Guildford Street Angels. Today I had the opportunity to pay tribute to them at Prime Minister’s Questions – and all the volunteers who are out every weekend.

The public toilets in Woodbridge Road.

“I’ve raised before my huge concerns about the fact that Guildford Borough Council has closed public loos and forced young women out at night to seek other places, including dark, secluded areas if they are caught short, which is dangerous.

“I am calling for the immediate reopening of town centre public loos in Guildford and I’m pleased that Oliver Dowden, the Deputy Prime Minister, agrees with me that sometimes by spending pennies on little things, we can make a huge difference in keeping women and girls safe.”

Guildford’s public toilet list as published on GBC’s website but opening hours are not stated. Click on image to enlarge.

In the previous week, Ms Richardson asked the prime minister about support to high streets across the constituency ahead of Surrey Day.

She said: “Today it was time for me to ask about #Guildford‘s high streets with #SurreyDay coming up this weekend.

Guildford High Street

“I do hear regularly from businesses that higher parking charges as well as increases in rental and energy costs are making things tougher for them. It is an issue that the prime minister knows well, having been chancellor during the Covid-19 lockdowns.

“I was pleased that he underlined this government’s commitment to high streets through abolishing business rates for thousands of shops and hospitality and leisure venues as well as investing heavily through the High Streets Fund and Towns Fund.

“I know that many businesses are finding things more difficult right now – but the government is listening and supporting them.”

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