If I were a betting man, my money for who will take the Folkestone and Hythe seat in the next general election would go on Damian Collins, the Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate. In fact, anyone else winning seems so far-fetched I haven’t even troubled myself with finding out the odds.
Mr Collins is standing for a seat which, since its inception in 1950, has always returned a Conservative candidate. Incumbent Michael Howard has held the seat for over 26 years, and despite the scandals that have rocked politics in the last year he would surely have a good chance at the seat were he to stand again. With Mr Howard standing down Mr Collins has a clear run, offering a fresh face untainted by parliamentary shenanigans of dubious moral fibre.
However, it isn’t all plain sailing. With suspicion of MPs in general reaching unprecedented levels the next election will see one of the largest turnovers of Members on record. Having previously stood in a different seat, questions have been raised over Mr Collins' loyalty to the area, and it seems hard to imagine this and his history in PR and Communications will go unmentioned by all other candidates.
Taking nothing for granted Mr Collins has been extremely active on the local scene, regularly featuring in the local press at events and functions, and he keeps an active presence on the web, commenting on national and local matters with some clarity.
Very kindly taking time out of his busy schedule, Mr Collins agreed to meet for an interview and talked about national issues and is thoughts on the local area and his relationship to it.
Do you think the Conservatives will win the national election?
We have an excellent chance of winning, that’s what the opinion polls are telling us. I think there is a real mood for change. I think people have pretty much made their mind up about the current government, but that may change. Opinion polls predict a Conservative victory with a majority of 30 to 40 seats, but a week is a long time in politics
Do you feel you will win the Folkestone and Hythe seat?
I don’t take for granted previous results in this seat at all. People can change their minds. I feel we’ve had a very good response to campaign so far, if we fight a good campaign we’ve got a very good chance of getting a very good result.
Do you feel nationally there is a problem with politics, especially given the scandals of last year?
Yes I think there is. The expenses scandal has brought reputation of politics even lower. I think people question what politicians are for and what they achieve. That combined with general disaffection with the current government is a big challenge. I think there is a big opportunity to change politics and bring in a new generation of politicians who are more sensitive to the public’s disaffection with politics.
One thing that will probably happen at the next election, regardless of the result, is a huge turnover of MPs. If the Conservatives were to win the next election, even with a very small majority, this would combine with a very large number of MPs retiring and this could mean as many as half could be new MPs. This is a new chance for parliament and will be a big responsibility of new MPs to make sure they live up to high expectations of public.
Conservative ‘Time for change,’ is a very strong Conservative message. But the recent Conservative slogan was ‘We can’t go on like this’. Has politics lost its ability to inspire?
Politics at its best is inspirational but we have to recognise we’re still in the longest recession we’ve had in modern times. People are concerned about their jobs and prospects for the rest of the year. You have to reflect the fact that people are very concerned about the current climate. It’s all very well being optimistic but if you come up with something incredible, people just don’t think is something you can deliver. I think this election is about being honest with the public, there are difficult times but with the right policies we can see them through and with the right decisions we can be optimistic. We have to recognise difficult decisions to make.
People say the public are fed up with the politics of spin and spin culture. I think what that means is that the public have come tired of politicians making promises they can’t deliver on and are always looking to put rosy gloss on anything bad that happens. Sometimes people welcome a degree of honesty because then you know where you stand.
Do you think the idea of spin is a stumbling block for the Conservatives and yourself? David Cameron has strong links with the media and you yourself come from Saatchi and Saatchi [global advertising firm] and Lexington Communications [independent public relations company]. Will people believe you when you say politics isn’t about spin?
It’s not about spin – Communications is about expressing your ideas clearly, making yourself understood so people can decide whether they want what you are offering or not. George Orwell wrote about that in the 40s so it’s not a new idea. Spin is where you distort the truth and pretend something is other than what it is to make it more appealing. The two are very different.
Recently it appears Cameron backtracked on promises and proposals about marriage? Isn’t this an example of spin?
It was all massively overplayed. What David Cameron said was that we want to recognise marriage in the tax system. Actually I met a couple in St Mary’s bay when I was out canvassing, and they were in exactly the situation that David Cameron was talking about. Both working, doing their bit to make ends meet and standing on their own two feet but they would be financially better off if they split up. That’s the issue we’re trying to tackle. We shouldn’t create a financial incentive for people to separate rather than be together.
Undermining long term relationships has done so much to undermine not just family life but the social fabric of the country. We’ve looked at a number of ways to get rid of the disincentive for married couples to split up. We are also conscious we will have very limited finances to work with so it might be that initially we can’t make the package as attractive as we’d like to make it. There has been no back track at all in the principle of support for marriage.
The policy states ‘marriage and civil partnerships. What about the idea relationships don’t work like that? People are not always happily married, couples don’t always live together. Aren’t they being discriminated against?
No. It’s reversing a distortion that already exists which incentivises couples to split up. All the research suggests marriages and long term relationships breaking down has a massive effect and is a contributing factor to high levels of social breakdown we have seen in this country in the last 20 to 30 years. All we are doing is getting rid of this distortion. It is recognition of the value of marriage and long term relationships and trying to get rid of the distortion that works against this.
The groups you front and your career shows a concentration on cultural aspects, and recently you accompanied Shadow Secretary of State for Culture Jeremy Hunt on a visit to Folkestone. Do you feel cultural regeneration is being highlighted above other types of regeneration, for example getting other industries into the area?
Good question. Firstly on creative industries there has been a recognition that it’s a very big and important part of the economy. I think creative industries accounted for about 8% of our economy before the financial crisis so the proportion probably bigger now. That includes television, filmmaking, artists, galleries, web technicians, access to broadband and fast communications, all part of the creative industries.
We have a centre in Folkestone and that’s important when you look at how these work they tend to cluster in places. Often creative businesses are small businesses and they rely on others, they don’t do it all themselves. You might get someone who builds websites, a technical person, who uses the services of a designer. In Folkestone we want to nuture this, not for Folkestone but for the whole district to benefit from. I had a meeting with a group of people on the Marsh about creating a film festival down in Dungeness – Last of England – it affects everyone. Those skills are good for other types of businesses as well, because certainly with web and online technology and marketing and online advertising other businesses will use those services.
If I had a 4 point plan for getting our local economy going, it would focus on these things
1) We champion what we’re good at and creative talent is something we’re good at. It’s not only thing, but an important thing.
2) We look at ways we can help small businesses and entrepreneurs do what they’re good at, which is running their businesses. The government can scrap some taxes on employing people that make it hard for small businesses looking to expand. Small business hiring one to 3 people is a big step, and the more businesses doing this the better for everyone.
3) The third thing I’d like to see is councils have more opportunity to keep more of business rates but spend it on regeneration. That could be anything from improving way town centre looks, doing up shops, even reducing cost of parking. If councils are successful in generating more business activity and the income from business rates goes up, the councils should share in that success and keep some of the money. It’s something we’re looking at as a party nationally and something I’d champion in parliament.
4) The fourth thing is the Government could back guarantee loans to businesses. We have seen good, perfectly viable businesses go bust at record levels because they can’t get access to credit. The government could back these loans to help get the credit market moving.
Creative industries and culture are very important for Folkestone but we can also look at heritage as in making more of our heritage to attract tourism and food, particularly the Marsh and Hythe. We’ve got a very rich food producing area. The fish retailer in Dungeness M&M Richardson was a finalist for best food retailer of the year in the BBC Food Awards. We should celebrate [the food production of this area] too. I met with Andrew Goodsell of SAGA, we need to make sure we have the infrastructure to attract and keep big employers.
What drew you to Shepway? The previous seat you contested was Northampton North.
I wasn’t born in this part of Kent but I knew the area, I have friends here and it’s a fantastic place to live. It was enormously attractive to me and my family. I went through a rigorous selection process by the party. I was one probably a hundred who applied for the seat, they interviewed twenty and I was selected in a final where over 300 local association members came to chose the candidate they wanted.
Did you go for any other seats?
Yes I did but it was very early in the process, I was fortunate that I was selected very early. Folkestone and Hythe was one of the first seats offered so I was lucky to be snapped up pretty quick.
From your experience of living here what are the main challenges?
I think we have a fantastic story to tell as a local area. We need to bang a drum for Shepway. I’d like to be a real ambassador for the whole area. We have lots to offer. It’s a great place to live, to come and do business. Now the High speed rail link is open, communication channels to London and the continent are great, and I want people to be aware of what we’ve got to offer. I was asked to join the Kent Contemporary Working Group which will advise Visit Kent on its work in promoting tourism and businesses to come to Kent. Hopefully by being on that working group I can also make sure that Folkestone and Hythe are well represented.
You stood in Northampton North, you are a Conservative ‘A-list’ candidate and were part of the Bow Group . How would you persuade people that you’re not a career politician and that you are interested in Shepway?
I’ve been here nearly four years as a parliamentary candidate, working in that role, which is a big investment in time. I wanted to do that to have the chance to really get to know the area before the election came. Not just what happens on a political level but to see something of the community and get involved in the community as part of that run up. That four year period has been very valuable and I have enjoyed it immensely.
You area a director of Lexingtonn Communications. How many days a week do you spend in Shepway if the company is based in London?
I’m lucky and have a very understanding employer. No two weeks are the same which is rather like the life of a parliamentary candidate. I will be giving up work in the general election and equally after the election, if elected, I won’t go back to Lexington.
So if successful, you won’t have a directorship or paid employment outside of being an MP?
Not at Lexington no, and I have no other offers on the table so I have no intention of seeking out other paid work. Some MPs do do outside work and I think that’s fine - that’s a matter between them and their constituents. I’m not saying I’d never do that. I’m going into parliament where I won’t have any outside interests or paid work.
Presumably you could take work from outside agencies?
I’m saying I’m giving up my job to stand for being an MP. My focus will be being an MP. I suppose if I was asked to be a member of the government that would be taking on another job other than being an MP. You may have other responsibilities.
If you are not successful, will you stay in the area and fight the next election?
Yes. If the Conservatives want me to stay I would.
I note from a few of your tweets, you have moved into Elham? Is this a mortgage or rental?
Sadly it’s a mortgage – I couldn’t buy it outright!
Michael Howard has had twenty years in the seat. Some people feel parts of Shepway that were neglected when he came to the seat are still neglected, such as the east of Folkestone. Do you feel that’s an accurate reflection of Michael Howard’s time? Is there still a lot to be done in Folkestone?
Of course there is always a lot to be done. I think most people would say Folkestone is a much better place now than it was some years ago, in terms of the University Centre, the Quarter house, the Cube, there was only 2-3 business in the Creative Quarter that were open, Roger De Haan hadn’t bought the harbour, it was still under dispute. Not much happened at the harbour since the ferries closed.
I think Michael has been a great ambassador for Folkestone and has worked very hard to promote the area. Michael supported the Channel Tunnel being built, which not everyone did at the time. Most would say the Channel Tunnel has been a good thing for the local economy. I think we could make more of it but I think he’s done a great job.
Lots of your writing says the Channel Tunnel is underused, but has Shepway seen any benefits from the Channel Tunnel? The ferries have closed, jobs are still going in Dover, foot passengers get on at Ashford so really people just drive off the M20 and join a train.
Yes I think we have benefitted, and I think we could get more benefit from it. The High speed service is an indication of how we can start to benefit – it runs on the line put in place for the Channel Tunnel. I think there are businesses that are attracted to this part of Kent, and whether they are in Folkestone or Ashford they will employ people who live in Folkestone and Hythe.
I think the arrival of High Speed one and the Olympics could be great for Shepway. The Olympics has the potential to open up more cross channel travel, including Folkestone and Calais. That part of Northern France is looking at marketing themselves as a place where teams can stay. I had a meeting with the French Embassy to talk about this. They are expecting a large amount of people to come through Northern France. It’s an opportunity to showcase Shepway.
In your writing on Dungeness you support the new station ‘subject to environmental consideration’. The reason it hasn’t been considered is because of environmental considerations, so it won’t be built?
Not necessarily. Natural England, the statutory body, has given advice on the environmental impact on building it. We can consider whether they are right. What we might discover is that the objections they have raised could be mitigated. Their main concern is with the shingle banks. There is some question over if they have exaggerated the amount of land that has to be used. Are there measures which could be taken to protect and mitigate these objections?
I’m not saying we should ignore Natural England but there may be a way of overcoming their concerns. I do think the government can consider Imperative Reasons of Overriding Public Importance. I think Dungeness could meet those criteria. It is a key site in the South East, it could be built quicker and connected to the grid faster – it doesn’t need new connections because they are already there. We have a need for clean low carbon energy and Dungeness could supply that.
Are you ready with an alternative to Marsh?
Let’s not forget that the power station will bring new jobs to the Marsh. There will still be some jobs at Dungeness B and A. Other than that, we need to promote the area. My experience in advertising says you have to have a story that makes you sound special and in Romney Marsh we have got that. We have a unique landscape which is very beautiful and has a lot of heritage and a lot of culture. There is a growing appetite for food tourism and a good underlying tourism business and we need to make more of that. Going back to creative economies, more people will be able to work from home and do different types of jobs.
The tourism centred approach is what the local Lib Dems are saying, and local Conservatives have castigated this as ‘cloud cuckoo land’ thinking.
Well, it’s part of the story. Dungeness is important because it provides a lot of jobs and money, a lot of money that is spent in the local community. You’d have to work very hard to come up with the amount of investment in the community you’d get in other ways. Certainly tourism is a way of doing that, but I don’t think we should limit ourselves to that.
Do you support the expansion of Lydd Airport?
I will wait to see what the planning officers come back with in their report, and I’ll read that with a great deal of interest. I have never ruled out the idea of limited expansion at Lydd airport, some people have ruled it out as a matter of principle. The airport has been there for a long time, it is part of the jobs infrastructure for the local area. It’s never going to be a big passenger airport, but allowed to grow in a limited way it could be good for the local economy.
There have been lots of objections and considerations. I have kept as close to it as possible, I have spoken to people on both sides off the debate, I listened to the test flight over three years ago. I know it is a contentious issue. I’d be prepared to support the expansion depending on what the report says.
Where do you stand on the proposed lorry park at Sellindge and Aldington?
We have a creeping industrialisation along the M20 and someone has looked at a map and decided to build a lorry park there. Firstly, there is already a lorry park at Ashford which was set up when the Channel Tunnel was built. I think we should look again at getting that redesignated. We should look at sites that already exist rather than buying new ones.
The issue is much bigger than having a lorry park at Sellindge at not - how do we pay for the infrastructure we need to offset what happens when Stack happens. Strikes, weather and accidents play a part. We shouldn’t just have lorry parks near Ashford. We should look at the whole network and think how we can get lorries off the road before they get down here. Can we complete the duelling of the A2, which Labour promised they would do? All of this costs money, and I don’t think it should be down to the local taxpayer. It is a national network and there should be a national plan to do this. Introducing a charge on foreign lorries should be looked at.
Wouldn’t the increase in haulage costs just be passed to consumers in the UK?
I don’t think so. We are looking at a scheme where if you fuelled in the UK you could offset this against the charge. Lorries can drive around the UK without filling up and not make any contribution to the UK. Road haulage is an open competitive network. It might get rid of some of the disparity working against British road hauliers in favour of their foreign competitors.
Immigration has been seen as a big issue in Shepway. Michael Howard made an issue of this in 2005. What is your view on the levels of immigration in Shepway?
I have been out to Calais to see the new centre to deal with migrants from Asia and Africa trying to get to the UK. There is still a problem, and the problem stems from the belief that the UK is a soft touch, it’s easier to get into the UK and once your here not much is done to assess if you have a valid claim to asylum, I think that works against the interests of the people of Britain, and it works against the interests of the people trying to get in here. Some are led here on false pretences.
How would you solve this problem?
We have said we would scrap the national ID scheme and would invest the money in a proper border police force. David Cameron has talked about doing is having an annual cap based on what jobs are needed in the economy. We area a small island and we don’t have limitless capacity. There has to be some sort of control.
If you scrap the ID scheme then the Border Force will have to stop every one and search every car and van every train and scrutinise every visa? This isn’t feasible, is it?
One of the issues is because our border forces are under resourced. It’s all very well having an ID scheme but without having the people to check the cards it’s a valueless exercise. We need to invest in this force to ensure we do have proper checks to stop people getting in.
Do you feel illegal immigrants are scapegoats and this pressure comes from the numbers of perfectly legitimate European Union citizens coming in. You can’t stop European Union citizens crossing the borders. The problem will persist and it is just rhetoric to say ‘we will tighten the borders’?
The immigration pressure isn’t just from within the EU, it is from people around the world trying to settle in the UK. One of the big issues is the quality of skills and training for local people to make sure they can get off welfare and back into work. This is a massively neglected issue. Through the boom years the level of underlying worklessness never really changed that much. From 97 to 2007 worklessness had gone up by 74% yet the economy had grown every year. There is almost an underclass of people that have become totally welfare dependent and you almost have a generation of people that have been out of work. In some cases you might have two or three generations of the same family that are largely unemployed. These figures are from a written question tabled by Michael Howard.
We have to tackle the underlying issue of desperation felt by people who are welfare dependent trapped in this cycle. That is the real cauldron of extremism, hatred and resentment. We have to make sure people are given the opportunities to get the skills they need for work. There has to be an element of compulsion in the system so it is understood that if you are able to work and there is a job to do, you should be working.
Labour has poured lots of money into Surestart and Apprenticeships, more than the previous Conservative government. Why would people believe now that the Conservatives have changed and will continue this?
We have already said we would invest in creating more apprenticeships, more places for people at university from poor backgrounds and we will invest in improving SureStart and the access to it. One of the problems with SureStart is that it’s been less good at getting some of the people who need it most to use its services. We are very committed to grass roots intervention. Sometimes you can work with grassroots and the voluntary sector and they can do better than the government on its own.
I think sometimes the government has taken a view that the government or the Secretary of State knows best. Actually local charities and community groups have more credibility and understand better the services needed. We should work with them.
There is much talk of ‘Compassionate Conservatives’ and even ‘Red Toryism’. Is there any difference between the two main parties?
The big difference is – do you trust people to give them the power to do this for themselves, or do you believe that only the government can guarantee the quality of outcome? That is the big difference.
Ultimately we trust people to make the big decisions in their lives. Sometimes some people might need help making those decisions, but generally people are good at making those decisions. That works from parents deciding what type of education is best for their child, to the headteacher having more power over their school and the discipline they set and not to be overridden by government agencies. We believe that helps improve standards.
With that the interview ends and Mr Collins excuses himself, slightly late for his next appointment. Clearly spoken, with a sharp mind and a relaxed air he stands every chance of spending this summer preparing for Westminster. If he delivers for Folkestone and Hythe he could go on to beat Mr Howards 26 years. That is for the voters to decide and is, for now, pure speculation bordering on fantasy.
I hope you have enjoyed these interviews. For interviews with the Labour and Lib Dem candidates, please click on the tag 'Interview' at the bottom of this article and feel free to leave comments. This should soon appear on the Romney Marsh Times, which has a much larger readership and these interviews may generate some interesting comments.
Many thanks for reading.
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