Update on previous post.
From a cursory glance of the cover of the Folkestone Herald while getting lunch it appears that current Folkestone mayor and People First councillor Janet Andrews has supported Lib Dem councillor Tom MacNeice as the next mayor of the town.
People First is a Lib Dem splinter group formed during the much publicised Lib Dem meltdown.
People First leader Brian Copping reportedly protested against her vote as it went against a previous agreement that would have seen Rodica Wheeler become mayor.
Sadly my skimming stopped at this point as I had to pay. If interested look in the Herald, also notable for not leading with a story about peeling tattoos.
Showing posts with label Shepway politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shepway politics. Show all posts
Thursday, 1 April 2010
Sunday, 28 February 2010
Candidates Clash In Student Fees Debate - What Really Happened?
The two main contenders for the Folkestone and Hythe seat are giving mixed messages about a debate they took part in on the issue of student fees.
The ‘Future of Fees’ debate, organized by student group Canterbury United and held on Feb 23 at Canterbury Christchurch University, featured Liberal Democrat Candidate Lynne Beaumont and Conservative Candidate Damian Collins.
Speaking to FUTS, Ms Beaumont said “Damian had a tough time of it during the debate. He advocated higher fees for better universities, sentiments which did not go down well with the students in the room.”
The Shepway Lib Dem site carries a video of Ms Beaumont addressing the meeting, posted by fellow Shepway Lib Dem Gary Fuller. In the clip Ms Beaumont says she “will do everything I can possibly do to make sure [students don’t leave university in debt]”.
Ms Beaumont references Mr Collins’ address, saying; “Damian talked about paying more for universities that get better results. I think that’s abhorrent. That means the people that can afford to go to places with better results are the only ones who can go there. That is wrong.”
The clip ends with applause for Ms Beaumont. There is no equivalent video of Mr Collins addressing the meeting.
When asked for his comments, Mr Collins stated that Ms Beaumont was ‘misrepresenting’ what he said, but admitted that some issues were ‘contentious’.
In a written response, Mr Collins states; ‘I said students should have more information on fees … and if we had a situation where colleges were charging different amounts they should have to back up why they were charging more, and why they thought it was worth paying.
‘When I said this there wasn't a reaction. Later in the debate Lynne accused me of advocating top universities charging more, which I hadn't.
‘Of course some students want tuition fees scrapped altogether, and that was the most contentious issue in the debate but not even the National Union of Students is advocating this. Their President said at the debate that he didn't think it fair for tuition fees to be paid from general taxation, and students who benefit from higher education should make a contribution towards it.’
Also taking part was Jean Samuel, Labour Candidate for the Canterbury and Whitstable seat. Mr Collins took the place of sitting Conservative MP Julian Brazier and Ms Beaumont took the place of Lib Dem candidate Guy Voizey.
The 2001 census lists 13.2% of the Canterbury population as full-time students, compared with Folkestone and Hythe at 2.2%. The number of full-time students in the Folkestone and Hythe population will have risen with the creation of University Centre Folkestone, but coupled with many graduates leaving the area the student vote is certainly not as strong as in Canterbury.
The ‘Future of Fees’ debate, organized by student group Canterbury United and held on Feb 23 at Canterbury Christchurch University, featured Liberal Democrat Candidate Lynne Beaumont and Conservative Candidate Damian Collins.
Speaking to FUTS, Ms Beaumont said “Damian had a tough time of it during the debate. He advocated higher fees for better universities, sentiments which did not go down well with the students in the room.”
The Shepway Lib Dem site carries a video of Ms Beaumont addressing the meeting, posted by fellow Shepway Lib Dem Gary Fuller. In the clip Ms Beaumont says she “will do everything I can possibly do to make sure [students don’t leave university in debt]”.
Ms Beaumont references Mr Collins’ address, saying; “Damian talked about paying more for universities that get better results. I think that’s abhorrent. That means the people that can afford to go to places with better results are the only ones who can go there. That is wrong.”
The clip ends with applause for Ms Beaumont. There is no equivalent video of Mr Collins addressing the meeting.
When asked for his comments, Mr Collins stated that Ms Beaumont was ‘misrepresenting’ what he said, but admitted that some issues were ‘contentious’.
In a written response, Mr Collins states; ‘I said students should have more information on fees … and if we had a situation where colleges were charging different amounts they should have to back up why they were charging more, and why they thought it was worth paying.
‘When I said this there wasn't a reaction. Later in the debate Lynne accused me of advocating top universities charging more, which I hadn't.
‘Of course some students want tuition fees scrapped altogether, and that was the most contentious issue in the debate but not even the National Union of Students is advocating this. Their President said at the debate that he didn't think it fair for tuition fees to be paid from general taxation, and students who benefit from higher education should make a contribution towards it.’
Also taking part was Jean Samuel, Labour Candidate for the Canterbury and Whitstable seat. Mr Collins took the place of sitting Conservative MP Julian Brazier and Ms Beaumont took the place of Lib Dem candidate Guy Voizey.
The 2001 census lists 13.2% of the Canterbury population as full-time students, compared with Folkestone and Hythe at 2.2%. The number of full-time students in the Folkestone and Hythe population will have risen with the creation of University Centre Folkestone, but coupled with many graduates leaving the area the student vote is certainly not as strong as in Canterbury.
Thursday, 18 February 2010
Snow Love Lost as Councillors Discuss Weather Chaos
Liberal Democrat Leader Lynne Beaumont slammed KCC and Shepway Council’s performance during the recent spell of bad weather, saying she was ‘astonished at the mess we were left in'.
In a question to Cllr Rory Love, Cabinet for Environmental Services, Revenue and Benefits, during the Council meeting of February 18, Cllr Beaumont asked what representations Shepway council had made to KCC.
Cllr Beaumont also highlighted the case of an 83 year old woman who was left trapped at home for five days and pressed for an ‘absolute guarantee’ that this would not happen again.
Cllr Love granted that despite the weather warnings the highway authority seemed to be less prepared than on previous occasions, but explained amount of snow meant that ‘in the immediate aftermath only those staff able to walk to work or living near the depot could report for duty’.
Cllr Love said no authority could ever give ‘absolute guarantees’, comparing this to a ‘Michael Fish’ trap. Michael Fish infamously assured the nation that concerns a ‘hurricane’ was headed England’s way were false. Cllr Love also expressed a personal view that he ‘would like to see more residents take on responsibility themselves.’
In a question to Cllr Rory Love, Cabinet for Environmental Services, Revenue and Benefits, during the Council meeting of February 18, Cllr Beaumont asked what representations Shepway council had made to KCC.
Cllr Beaumont also highlighted the case of an 83 year old woman who was left trapped at home for five days and pressed for an ‘absolute guarantee’ that this would not happen again.
Cllr Love granted that despite the weather warnings the highway authority seemed to be less prepared than on previous occasions, but explained amount of snow meant that ‘in the immediate aftermath only those staff able to walk to work or living near the depot could report for duty’.
Cllr Love said no authority could ever give ‘absolute guarantees’, comparing this to a ‘Michael Fish’ trap. Michael Fish infamously assured the nation that concerns a ‘hurricane’ was headed England’s way were false. Cllr Love also expressed a personal view that he ‘would like to see more residents take on responsibility themselves.’
Folkestone and Hythe Can Count On Election Night Excitement
Shepway District Council Leader Robert Bliss has announced that votes cast during the next national election will be counted overnight, ending speculation that the Folkestone and Hythe count could take place the day after the election.
The overnight count is a favourite of many political observers. Nationally and locally commentators, have expressed a desire to keep some of the excitement of election night and do the count through the night.
During his Leader's Address at the full council meeting on Feb 18, Cllr Bliss said he had managed to ‘bribe officials with the promise of pastries’ to do the count on the night.
Since September last year numerous news reports have mooted the possibility of counts being held on the day after the vote in order to verify an increasing number of postal votes.
Recently moves have been made to ensure that counts are started within four hours of the ballot closing. The proposed changes would not make counting the next day impossible and due to the relatively short time to hold the next election they are unlikely to be in force by the time voting commences.
The overnight count is a favourite of many political observers. Nationally and locally commentators, have expressed a desire to keep some of the excitement of election night and do the count through the night.
During his Leader's Address at the full council meeting on Feb 18, Cllr Bliss said he had managed to ‘bribe officials with the promise of pastries’ to do the count on the night.
Since September last year numerous news reports have mooted the possibility of counts being held on the day after the vote in order to verify an increasing number of postal votes.
Recently moves have been made to ensure that counts are started within four hours of the ballot closing. The proposed changes would not make counting the next day impossible and due to the relatively short time to hold the next election they are unlikely to be in force by the time voting commences.
Thursday, 11 February 2010
Shepway Snow Chaos Sparks Strong Words From Shepway Politicians
Shepway politicians have slammed KCC for failing to prepare Shepway’s roads for the recent spell of bad weather. Parts of Folkestone were rendered impassable due to snowfall on Wednesday night. The A20 coast bound was at a standstill, leading to huge tailbacks along Cherry Garden Avenue and in Cheriton.
This morning (Thursday), the roads were quiet. Vehicles that attempted to travel ground to a halt on hills in the town. Several articulated lorries blocked Radnor Park Road and Dover Road and with traffic unable to travel up the incline towards Payers Park, long delays saw cars abandoned. In the afternoon roads became passable, though conditions were wtill difficult.
Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group and Parliamentary Candidate Lynne Beaumont has called for Nick Chard, KCC Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Waste to step aside.
In a statement on the Liberal Democrat website, Ms Beaumont highlights the losses to businesses and the dangers for the elderly and other residents unable to travel.
'There was absolutely no need for this chaos. Kent County Council are responsible for gritting the roads. They haven't. They knew it was happening and they have let us down, again. There can be no excuses this time: an apology is not good enough.
'Nick Chard, should wake up and smell the coffee, and look out of his window - or get someone actually in in Shepway to look out of theirs.
'Mr Chard, the unpassable roads of Shepway last night and today are your responsibility, your error. It is time to stand aside and let someone who cares, and can keep main roads safe, take the lead.'
Labour Candidate Donald Worsley emailed FUTS a strong statement; ‘Train standed 800 yards form Folkestone Central for hours, cars unable to get out of side roads. Delivery lorries going nowhere and gritters stuck, and yet only yesterday KCC said it was prepared for the further snow and had enough grit.
‘John Wayne would be riding on County Hall today if he was still alive. As for further apologies from Eurotunnel, one despairs. True Grit more like Bull.......'
Shepway Conservatives have yet to comment, perhaps unwilling to criticise Chard, a Conservative, or County Hall, which is under Conservative control. On January 20 a Conservative motion was passed which included the lines ‘[Shepway District Council] congratulates KCC on the effectiveness of its gritting of primary routes, as well as on its efforts to clear ice and snow, to the benefit of the mobility and safety of motorists on A and B class roads, busy commuter routes and other known danger spots.’ But also resolved to ask KCC to ‘extend its activities’.
In a statement on KCC’s website released before the snowfalls, Mr Chard claimed that the County Council had ‘prepared well’.
‘Where we salt depends on the weather forecast. We listen very closely to what is going to happen. We go where we think there will be snow or freezing conditions.
'The strategic routes are our priority on Kent's roads. We have also been out carrying out precautionary gritting of town centre pavements. We don't want people falling over.
'We have got about 5,000 tons of salt. We have maintained adequate supplies. As soon as we have used salt we have tried to replenish supplies.'
Walking from Cheriton to Folkestone FUTS saw little if any evidence of gritting or salting of roads and pavements in the area. Mr Chard has yet to respond to enquiries via email.
Update Thurs evening. According to this site gritting staff did arrive at the depot on Thursday morning, only to be told the gritters 'just are not coming out today'.
This morning (Thursday), the roads were quiet. Vehicles that attempted to travel ground to a halt on hills in the town. Several articulated lorries blocked Radnor Park Road and Dover Road and with traffic unable to travel up the incline towards Payers Park, long delays saw cars abandoned. In the afternoon roads became passable, though conditions were wtill difficult.
Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group and Parliamentary Candidate Lynne Beaumont has called for Nick Chard, KCC Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Waste to step aside.
In a statement on the Liberal Democrat website, Ms Beaumont highlights the losses to businesses and the dangers for the elderly and other residents unable to travel.
'There was absolutely no need for this chaos. Kent County Council are responsible for gritting the roads. They haven't. They knew it was happening and they have let us down, again. There can be no excuses this time: an apology is not good enough.
'Nick Chard, should wake up and smell the coffee, and look out of his window - or get someone actually in in Shepway to look out of theirs.
'Mr Chard, the unpassable roads of Shepway last night and today are your responsibility, your error. It is time to stand aside and let someone who cares, and can keep main roads safe, take the lead.'
Labour Candidate Donald Worsley emailed FUTS a strong statement; ‘Train standed 800 yards form Folkestone Central for hours, cars unable to get out of side roads. Delivery lorries going nowhere and gritters stuck, and yet only yesterday KCC said it was prepared for the further snow and had enough grit.
‘John Wayne would be riding on County Hall today if he was still alive. As for further apologies from Eurotunnel, one despairs. True Grit more like Bull.......'
Shepway Conservatives have yet to comment, perhaps unwilling to criticise Chard, a Conservative, or County Hall, which is under Conservative control. On January 20 a Conservative motion was passed which included the lines ‘[Shepway District Council] congratulates KCC on the effectiveness of its gritting of primary routes, as well as on its efforts to clear ice and snow, to the benefit of the mobility and safety of motorists on A and B class roads, busy commuter routes and other known danger spots.’ But also resolved to ask KCC to ‘extend its activities’.
In a statement on KCC’s website released before the snowfalls, Mr Chard claimed that the County Council had ‘prepared well’.
‘Where we salt depends on the weather forecast. We listen very closely to what is going to happen. We go where we think there will be snow or freezing conditions.
'The strategic routes are our priority on Kent's roads. We have also been out carrying out precautionary gritting of town centre pavements. We don't want people falling over.
'We have got about 5,000 tons of salt. We have maintained adequate supplies. As soon as we have used salt we have tried to replenish supplies.'
Walking from Cheriton to Folkestone FUTS saw little if any evidence of gritting or salting of roads and pavements in the area. Mr Chard has yet to respond to enquiries via email.
Update Thurs evening. According to this site gritting staff did arrive at the depot on Thursday morning, only to be told the gritters 'just are not coming out today'.
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
'Hard Hitting' Report as Shepway Looks to Reverse Dungeness Decision
WARNING - around 60% of this is a press release cut and paste - many thanks media team at the council.
Shepway District Council is sending a ‘hard hitting’ response to the government over the decision not to include Dungeness as a possible site for a new nuclear power station.
Citing incorrect employment statistics as ‘one of a number of errors that combined to ‘seriously understate’ the need for a new station.’
A press release on the council website states ‘This is a vitally important shortcoming, particularly in the case of Dungeness as the current decommissioning of A station and closure of B station from 2018 are key threats to the area's future prosperity and its already fragile economy.
‘The report also argues that the government has ignored the local community support for Dungeness and that it is ‘premature' to conclude the Natural England's objections over the loss of vegetated shingle habitat could not be addressed.
‘By the government's own definition, there is an Imperative Reason of Over-riding Public Interest to justify the inclusion of Dungeness, despite the ecological concerns.’
‘Leader of the Council, Robert Bliss, said the report presented very strong grounds for a review of the decision to exclude Dungeness.
"We have stressed the very heavy local dependence on the nuclear industry and that a new station at Dungeness is vital to ensure a sustainable future for local communities," said Cllr Bliss. "If Dungeness is not included as a site for a new station, this council calls on the government to explain what intervention packages it will put in place to ensure that the loss of existing prosperity and the loss of future opportunity is mitigated against." [press release ends]
The report comes from the council rather than a political party. However, there has been a clear split in approach to the issue along party lines. The Lib Dems have been vocal in opposition to a new power station at Dungeness whereas Conservatives and other councillors have always maintained the need for a new power station.
Lib Dem councillors have criticised the Conservative group for relying too heavily on the possibility of a new power station for the Marsh, rather than having a back up plan.
Shepway District Council is sending a ‘hard hitting’ response to the government over the decision not to include Dungeness as a possible site for a new nuclear power station.
Citing incorrect employment statistics as ‘one of a number of errors that combined to ‘seriously understate’ the need for a new station.’
A press release on the council website states ‘This is a vitally important shortcoming, particularly in the case of Dungeness as the current decommissioning of A station and closure of B station from 2018 are key threats to the area's future prosperity and its already fragile economy.
‘The report also argues that the government has ignored the local community support for Dungeness and that it is ‘premature' to conclude the Natural England's objections over the loss of vegetated shingle habitat could not be addressed.
‘By the government's own definition, there is an Imperative Reason of Over-riding Public Interest to justify the inclusion of Dungeness, despite the ecological concerns.’
‘Leader of the Council, Robert Bliss, said the report presented very strong grounds for a review of the decision to exclude Dungeness.
"We have stressed the very heavy local dependence on the nuclear industry and that a new station at Dungeness is vital to ensure a sustainable future for local communities," said Cllr Bliss. "If Dungeness is not included as a site for a new station, this council calls on the government to explain what intervention packages it will put in place to ensure that the loss of existing prosperity and the loss of future opportunity is mitigated against." [press release ends]
The report comes from the council rather than a political party. However, there has been a clear split in approach to the issue along party lines. The Lib Dems have been vocal in opposition to a new power station at Dungeness whereas Conservatives and other councillors have always maintained the need for a new power station.
Lib Dem councillors have criticised the Conservative group for relying too heavily on the possibility of a new power station for the Marsh, rather than having a back up plan.
Interview with Donald Worsley [conducted Sunday 10 Jan]
This is the first of a series of interviews with the Parliamentary Candidates from the three main parties. Interviews with Lynne Beaumont and Damian Collins will follow.
Being the Labour parliamentary candidate for Folkestone and Hythe must be a thankless task. The seat was created in 1950, and has always returned a Conservative MP. Incumbent Michael Howard has held the seat for over 26 years, and in the last general election Labour were thumped in third place, their share of the vote falling by 7.7% on the previous election down to 12.5%. Labour’s last councillor in Shepway District council seat went in 2005, and after the 2009 county elections only two Labour members sit on Kent County Council.
However, Donald Worsley is prepared to stand and be counted. Without the public profile or exposure of other candidates, he has gained publicity in recent times for criticising his own party over key decisions. Mr Worsley says this is not done to gain headlines, but for the benefit of Shepway residents. As a member of the Labour Party since the 70s his loyalty is not in doubt, rather one gets the feeling that the party he joined has changed almost beyond recognition and Mr Worsley, an extremely principled man, has not changed in the same way.
Holding forth on a wide range of subjects and possessing a dry sense of humour, Mr Worsley is engaging company. Generously giving up his free time, FUTS met Mr Worsley and talked at length about issues concerning the Labour Party both nationally and locally.
Will Labour win the next election?
I think we will come close, if not winning it outright. It comes to the difference between the party which brought us out of the economic crisis rather than taking the easy decision. Voters don’t want soundbites.
Surely Tony Blair and Alistair Campbell were the masters of soundbites?
The Tony Blair leadership was of its time. The problem was they didn’t deliver on sound policies. They gave the electorate the wrong impression inviting glitterati to number 10 when they would have done better to invite out of work miners and nurses.
Expanding on this, these mistakes were compounded by taking us to war in Iraq, and made worse by going to war in Afghanistan. The billions spent fighting terrorism would have been better spent on home security, protecting people on our own streets. I hope we are out by the end of the year, far too many are being killed unnecessarily.
The July bombings in London were ‘home-grown’. Is it possible to stop this entirely?
We should be more concerned with who we let in. We must not allow people in who preach hatred.
If we can move onto domestic issues, The Labour government is considering a ‘firesale’ of certain national assets, including the Channel Tunnel. Isn’t this harmful in the long run?
If it helps to cut the national debt then it is necessary. I would rather see spending on infrastructure, but we need cuts. We should cut the number of government quangos. We should be addressing the issue of money going abroad. We have been trying to attract investors, but in my opinion we should be investing in industry.
On Eurotunnel specifically, I would like to see the monopoly of the operators taken away. This has been abused, with high ticket prices the result. Why does it take the best part of a day to get a train out of a tunnel? Eurotunnel’s criticism of Kent Police was scandalous. We should be taking back the railways; privatisation was the last act of a desperate Tory government.
Isn’t there a problem for Labour in that Gordon Brown’s ‘light touch’ policies were the reason for the crisis?
The economic crisis was caused by massive bank frauds in the USA and subprime mortgage defaults. Gordon Brown responded to the crisis and saved our banking system here in the UK from total collapse. With hindsight we should have stopped RBS and Northern Rock from putting billions at risk. The Bank of England let us all down in that respect and must share the greatest burden of the blame for failing to put a stop soon enough to the banks cavalier approach to risk. Personally I was then of the opinion that with the near meltdown of Northern Rock the Governor should have been sacked at the time.
Where do you stand on immigration? When Nick Griffin was on question time, Jack Straw struggled to answer a question about the problems of immigration.
We can’t have a population of 70 million if we need to build cities and the infrastructure that goes with it. It just isn’t possible. We should quadruple our efforts to remove those here illegally, even if we depart from the European Convention of Human Rights. The United Nations should be helping to solve the problem. The UN can’t ask for 0.7% of our GDP and not tackle the problem. The problem started under Mr Howard as Home Secretary and has continued to this day.
But surely given that we are now in the European Union, and the majority of immigrants are from these countries, talk of tackling immigration is just sloganeering?
Immigration from within the EU is a tolerable price we have to pay for economic prosperity and lasting peace in Europe and for some their Spanish villas or stag nights in Prague or Dublin.
Tackling illegal immigration with an iron fist is not sloganeering: it's a strong belief I hold to. We can't allow illegal care home workers, waiters, cabbage pickers and others to slip under the radar. Likewise we should not stand by and let Asylum Seekers tie up our courts and politicians in Political Correctness gone mad.
People who have travelled thousands of miles to get to the UK to seek Asylum and travelled through numerous other countries to get here are really the problem of the United Nations not the UK. The UN should resolve the issues of Asylum and people trafficking and in the continents and countries where it originates from not on the doorstep where it ends up. Exporting aid and importing Asylum seekers is not an equation that holds good.
What is your opinion of the Conservative and Lib Dem policies in the run-up to the election?
The Tories have to answer – ‘What will they do?’ Ken Clarke is criticising his own party while David Cameron does not say in any detail what they will cut. The most insidious cuts are decisions not to raise public sector salaries, and to cut benefits. This benefits only the rich.
I am not sure what the Lib Dems stand for. Nick Clegg wants savage cuts while Vincent Cable wants a tax on mansions. These are not serious policies.
Michael Howard has been re-elected for the last 26 years. Why is this? What credit would you give him?
I haven’t stood against him before. Personal loyalty follows a hard-working MP. I’m not saying he isn’t hardworking, I disagree with his policies. The last year for him has been very bad. Had he not been standing down I would have been calling for this. I think all MPs have a lot to answer for over expenses. MPs have long been misappropriating the public purse, and the issues over second homes have been inexcusable. I wonder if the next Folkestone and Hythe MP will commute from the area - I would.
But the voters must agree with the Conservative policies?
I don’t believe they have had a credible alternative. It is up to me to put forward a different view and a clear distinction between the Conservatives and Labour.
Let’s move to Labour in Shepway. You regularly have letters printed in the Herald, but where is Labour in Shepway? There are no local councillors and it doesn’t seem possible that Labour will win the Folkestone and Hythe seat.
There is not enough national input into Kent, and certainly none in Shepway. There isn’t enough money in Shepway to compete with the other parties. But it is important to stand. Never criticise if you are not prepared to stand up and be counted. Of course, I think a Labour MP would be better for the area.
How do you campaign in the local area?
We will have devised a campaign by the end of the month. The campaign will be to show that nationally Labour is delivering benefits for Shepway that the local authorities, (Kent County Council and Shepway) are not. There are 4 key points.
1. The high speed rail link.
2. The Little Cheyenne wind farm.
3. The academy schools.
4. We will show respect to the Gurkhas by giving them pensions.
The local authorities have avoided making a decision on Lydd airport for far too long. They have also not tackled a second rate, two-tier education system which has allowed low pass rates to continue in some schools. In addition to this, a Tory government will inevitably lead to a local lorry park between Sellindge and Aldington.
Why are there no Labour councillors?
The County Council elections were a disaster, coming in the middle of the financial crisis. We didn’t put our message across loud and often enough. Now it is difficult as you have to be in opposition to have opportunities. I recall that the Shepway Lib Dems had the chance to make changes, but then lost this over the ‘tax and toilets’ fiasco.
On the Labour Party website there isn’t a page for Folkestone and Hythe or Shepway Labour group. Why not?
We don’t have the resources. Without a regional MP here Shepway will be forever ignored. The website takes time and costs money. The local party couldn’t afford it.
Surely it can’t cost too much to maintain a website? There are free alternatives. Doesn’t this show there is no will in the party?
At the moment we don’t have the ability to attract new members with larger pockets and people are disillusioned with the way the party is run from the centre. Labour Party members are not wealthy people, and as we don’t have a sitting MP we do not see much of our membership subscription returning to this area. We get a pittance back from central office.
But there doesn’t seem to be a Labour presence in the District. Will we see more Labour councillors standing? Will you be in opposition at District level?
We have an aspiration to. That’s one of the reasons I am standing at the moment. I don’t think socialists have fought hard enough to challenge the local status quo. I do my bit. It’s a start and with lots of local issues such as Lydd I think we can make a change.
Do you support the plans for Lydd airport expansion?
I support the plans as a hub for jobs for the local community, for development and engineering apprenticeships. There will not be ½ million passengers, but there must be improvements to infrastructure. You can’t expand Lydd airport without expanding the road and rail links.
But why aren’t there any votes for Labour here? People know the party exists, and there are some Labour candidates, so why aren’t the voters choosing Labour?
Elections are won by people on the ground, delivering a message and showing people the difference it can make. I think for too long people have stressed soundbites, media releases and television appearances as a way of winning elections. There is no substitute for foot slogging.
So does this mean you have lost members? Can Labour fight a campaign here?
Our membership has suffered. I think there is a forgotten part of the Labour party philosophy where the party listens to its members and is open to ideas. The 2008 Party Conference was more like a presentation, and this has been bad for membership. People want honest answers, not bland platitudes.
Will politics return to how it was before the age of presentations?
I think it will. That is the way I shall be addressing the campaign, with real policies no matter how radical.
It has been noted before that you are willing to criticise the national Labour Party and some of its decisions, most notably Dungeness and the failure to hold a referendum on the EU. Can we expect more of this?
I don’t go out of my way to speak out of line, but neither will I always follow what is coming from Party HQ. My criticism is always for the benefit of Shepway.
With that the interview ends, we finish our drinks and go our separate ways. It seems impossible that Mr Worsley will be off to Westminster, and unlikely that we will see a Labour presence in the District council anytime soon. Given the scandals that have marred the perception and engagement with politics nationally and locally, that may be Shepway’s loss.
Mr Worsley's latest blog, 'Heroes in the Snow', is up on Romney Marsh Times here.
Being the Labour parliamentary candidate for Folkestone and Hythe must be a thankless task. The seat was created in 1950, and has always returned a Conservative MP. Incumbent Michael Howard has held the seat for over 26 years, and in the last general election Labour were thumped in third place, their share of the vote falling by 7.7% on the previous election down to 12.5%. Labour’s last councillor in Shepway District council seat went in 2005, and after the 2009 county elections only two Labour members sit on Kent County Council.
However, Donald Worsley is prepared to stand and be counted. Without the public profile or exposure of other candidates, he has gained publicity in recent times for criticising his own party over key decisions. Mr Worsley says this is not done to gain headlines, but for the benefit of Shepway residents. As a member of the Labour Party since the 70s his loyalty is not in doubt, rather one gets the feeling that the party he joined has changed almost beyond recognition and Mr Worsley, an extremely principled man, has not changed in the same way.
Holding forth on a wide range of subjects and possessing a dry sense of humour, Mr Worsley is engaging company. Generously giving up his free time, FUTS met Mr Worsley and talked at length about issues concerning the Labour Party both nationally and locally.
Will Labour win the next election?
I think we will come close, if not winning it outright. It comes to the difference between the party which brought us out of the economic crisis rather than taking the easy decision. Voters don’t want soundbites.
Surely Tony Blair and Alistair Campbell were the masters of soundbites?
The Tony Blair leadership was of its time. The problem was they didn’t deliver on sound policies. They gave the electorate the wrong impression inviting glitterati to number 10 when they would have done better to invite out of work miners and nurses.
Expanding on this, these mistakes were compounded by taking us to war in Iraq, and made worse by going to war in Afghanistan. The billions spent fighting terrorism would have been better spent on home security, protecting people on our own streets. I hope we are out by the end of the year, far too many are being killed unnecessarily.
The July bombings in London were ‘home-grown’. Is it possible to stop this entirely?
We should be more concerned with who we let in. We must not allow people in who preach hatred.
If we can move onto domestic issues, The Labour government is considering a ‘firesale’ of certain national assets, including the Channel Tunnel. Isn’t this harmful in the long run?
If it helps to cut the national debt then it is necessary. I would rather see spending on infrastructure, but we need cuts. We should cut the number of government quangos. We should be addressing the issue of money going abroad. We have been trying to attract investors, but in my opinion we should be investing in industry.
On Eurotunnel specifically, I would like to see the monopoly of the operators taken away. This has been abused, with high ticket prices the result. Why does it take the best part of a day to get a train out of a tunnel? Eurotunnel’s criticism of Kent Police was scandalous. We should be taking back the railways; privatisation was the last act of a desperate Tory government.
Isn’t there a problem for Labour in that Gordon Brown’s ‘light touch’ policies were the reason for the crisis?
The economic crisis was caused by massive bank frauds in the USA and subprime mortgage defaults. Gordon Brown responded to the crisis and saved our banking system here in the UK from total collapse. With hindsight we should have stopped RBS and Northern Rock from putting billions at risk. The Bank of England let us all down in that respect and must share the greatest burden of the blame for failing to put a stop soon enough to the banks cavalier approach to risk. Personally I was then of the opinion that with the near meltdown of Northern Rock the Governor should have been sacked at the time.
Where do you stand on immigration? When Nick Griffin was on question time, Jack Straw struggled to answer a question about the problems of immigration.
We can’t have a population of 70 million if we need to build cities and the infrastructure that goes with it. It just isn’t possible. We should quadruple our efforts to remove those here illegally, even if we depart from the European Convention of Human Rights. The United Nations should be helping to solve the problem. The UN can’t ask for 0.7% of our GDP and not tackle the problem. The problem started under Mr Howard as Home Secretary and has continued to this day.
But surely given that we are now in the European Union, and the majority of immigrants are from these countries, talk of tackling immigration is just sloganeering?
Immigration from within the EU is a tolerable price we have to pay for economic prosperity and lasting peace in Europe and for some their Spanish villas or stag nights in Prague or Dublin.
Tackling illegal immigration with an iron fist is not sloganeering: it's a strong belief I hold to. We can't allow illegal care home workers, waiters, cabbage pickers and others to slip under the radar. Likewise we should not stand by and let Asylum Seekers tie up our courts and politicians in Political Correctness gone mad.
People who have travelled thousands of miles to get to the UK to seek Asylum and travelled through numerous other countries to get here are really the problem of the United Nations not the UK. The UN should resolve the issues of Asylum and people trafficking and in the continents and countries where it originates from not on the doorstep where it ends up. Exporting aid and importing Asylum seekers is not an equation that holds good.
What is your opinion of the Conservative and Lib Dem policies in the run-up to the election?
The Tories have to answer – ‘What will they do?’ Ken Clarke is criticising his own party while David Cameron does not say in any detail what they will cut. The most insidious cuts are decisions not to raise public sector salaries, and to cut benefits. This benefits only the rich.
I am not sure what the Lib Dems stand for. Nick Clegg wants savage cuts while Vincent Cable wants a tax on mansions. These are not serious policies.
Michael Howard has been re-elected for the last 26 years. Why is this? What credit would you give him?
I haven’t stood against him before. Personal loyalty follows a hard-working MP. I’m not saying he isn’t hardworking, I disagree with his policies. The last year for him has been very bad. Had he not been standing down I would have been calling for this. I think all MPs have a lot to answer for over expenses. MPs have long been misappropriating the public purse, and the issues over second homes have been inexcusable. I wonder if the next Folkestone and Hythe MP will commute from the area - I would.
But the voters must agree with the Conservative policies?
I don’t believe they have had a credible alternative. It is up to me to put forward a different view and a clear distinction between the Conservatives and Labour.
Let’s move to Labour in Shepway. You regularly have letters printed in the Herald, but where is Labour in Shepway? There are no local councillors and it doesn’t seem possible that Labour will win the Folkestone and Hythe seat.
There is not enough national input into Kent, and certainly none in Shepway. There isn’t enough money in Shepway to compete with the other parties. But it is important to stand. Never criticise if you are not prepared to stand up and be counted. Of course, I think a Labour MP would be better for the area.
How do you campaign in the local area?
We will have devised a campaign by the end of the month. The campaign will be to show that nationally Labour is delivering benefits for Shepway that the local authorities, (Kent County Council and Shepway) are not. There are 4 key points.
1. The high speed rail link.
2. The Little Cheyenne wind farm.
3. The academy schools.
4. We will show respect to the Gurkhas by giving them pensions.
The local authorities have avoided making a decision on Lydd airport for far too long. They have also not tackled a second rate, two-tier education system which has allowed low pass rates to continue in some schools. In addition to this, a Tory government will inevitably lead to a local lorry park between Sellindge and Aldington.
Why are there no Labour councillors?
The County Council elections were a disaster, coming in the middle of the financial crisis. We didn’t put our message across loud and often enough. Now it is difficult as you have to be in opposition to have opportunities. I recall that the Shepway Lib Dems had the chance to make changes, but then lost this over the ‘tax and toilets’ fiasco.
On the Labour Party website there isn’t a page for Folkestone and Hythe or Shepway Labour group. Why not?
We don’t have the resources. Without a regional MP here Shepway will be forever ignored. The website takes time and costs money. The local party couldn’t afford it.
Surely it can’t cost too much to maintain a website? There are free alternatives. Doesn’t this show there is no will in the party?
At the moment we don’t have the ability to attract new members with larger pockets and people are disillusioned with the way the party is run from the centre. Labour Party members are not wealthy people, and as we don’t have a sitting MP we do not see much of our membership subscription returning to this area. We get a pittance back from central office.
But there doesn’t seem to be a Labour presence in the District. Will we see more Labour councillors standing? Will you be in opposition at District level?
We have an aspiration to. That’s one of the reasons I am standing at the moment. I don’t think socialists have fought hard enough to challenge the local status quo. I do my bit. It’s a start and with lots of local issues such as Lydd I think we can make a change.
Do you support the plans for Lydd airport expansion?
I support the plans as a hub for jobs for the local community, for development and engineering apprenticeships. There will not be ½ million passengers, but there must be improvements to infrastructure. You can’t expand Lydd airport without expanding the road and rail links.
But why aren’t there any votes for Labour here? People know the party exists, and there are some Labour candidates, so why aren’t the voters choosing Labour?
Elections are won by people on the ground, delivering a message and showing people the difference it can make. I think for too long people have stressed soundbites, media releases and television appearances as a way of winning elections. There is no substitute for foot slogging.
So does this mean you have lost members? Can Labour fight a campaign here?
Our membership has suffered. I think there is a forgotten part of the Labour party philosophy where the party listens to its members and is open to ideas. The 2008 Party Conference was more like a presentation, and this has been bad for membership. People want honest answers, not bland platitudes.
Will politics return to how it was before the age of presentations?
I think it will. That is the way I shall be addressing the campaign, with real policies no matter how radical.
It has been noted before that you are willing to criticise the national Labour Party and some of its decisions, most notably Dungeness and the failure to hold a referendum on the EU. Can we expect more of this?
I don’t go out of my way to speak out of line, but neither will I always follow what is coming from Party HQ. My criticism is always for the benefit of Shepway.
With that the interview ends, we finish our drinks and go our separate ways. It seems impossible that Mr Worsley will be off to Westminster, and unlikely that we will see a Labour presence in the District council anytime soon. Given the scandals that have marred the perception and engagement with politics nationally and locally, that may be Shepway’s loss.
Mr Worsley's latest blog, 'Heroes in the Snow', is up on Romney Marsh Times here.
Wednesday, 27 January 2010
Dark Clouds Gathering in Shepway’s Conservative Blue Sky?
Note - This is pure speculation for my own entertainment. Please feel free to comment, discuss, agree, disagree. (Please see riposte from Conservative Association Chairman Russel Tillson)
One might infer from the opening lines of Local Conservative Association Chairman Russell Tillson’s New Year statement that Conservatives had celebrated hard welcoming in 2010, and who could blame them? 2010 looks to be a bumper year for the Tories with a probable parliamentary seat and continued dominance of the local council.
One might infer from the opening lines of Local Conservative Association Chairman Russell Tillson’s New Year statement that Conservatives had celebrated hard welcoming in 2010, and who could blame them? 2010 looks to be a bumper year for the Tories with a probable parliamentary seat and continued dominance of the local council.
Nationally, their candidate for the Folkestone and Hythe parliament seat (which has always been blue) is Damain Collins, a man of considerable pedigree, Oxford educated and listed as ‘one to watch’ in major publications. Coming from a background in PR and having previously contested Northampton North in a national election, Mr Collins has made quick work of blogging, tweeting, campaigning and meeting his way onto the local political scene.
His sitting-in on Michael Howard’s column and impressive runs of appearing in local rags has raised a few eyebrows from Lib Dems and others on the issue of fairness, but who will remember once the votes are cast and Mr Collins is off to Westminster?
To his credit, he is carving out a niche as an individual rather than merely a replacement for the incumbent Mr Howard, no mean feat given Mr Howard’s 27 years as MP. Carving out a niche might be imperative after the expenses scandals of last year, which saw Michael Howard justifying claims for gardening and housework. Sadly, we will not get to see the true effect that has had on Mr Howard’s support, as he won’t be standing. Mr Collins and all at Tory HQ must be hoping any effect is minimal.
The feeling among observers is that a prime Conservative asset has been moved to a safe Shepway seat to get to Westminster. However, Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate Cllr Beaumont’s opening statement makes the most of her 25 years in the local area, perhaps a flavour of things to come. With a directorship in London and his wife a councillor in Westminster city council, questions over Mr Collins’ commitment to Shepway are likely to dog his campaign and this could be Mr Collins’ ‘Achilles Heel.’. How he handles these stories, should they generate a negative reaction among the voters, may be cruicial and at times the local Conservative Association’s none too delicate announcements may fan the flames. It is difficult to see him losing but the last year in politics could lead to more surprises than normal on results night (or day).
Looking ahead to the 2011 local elections, Cllr Tillson is bullish about maintaining control of the district council. Ending the year with 37 out of 46 councillors the Conservatives must be in a rock solid position. Right?
Locally, as 2009 drew to a close Shepway Conservatives were gifted the decision of the government not to site a new power station at Dungeness. Basking in the (nuclear) glow of righteous indignation, they were quick to protest an unpopular decision. Even the Labour Candidate joined in. The opening of the High Speed rail link allowed Conservatives further positive press coverage, ending the year on a high.
Locally, as 2009 drew to a close Shepway Conservatives were gifted the decision of the government not to site a new power station at Dungeness. Basking in the (nuclear) glow of righteous indignation, they were quick to protest an unpopular decision. Even the Labour Candidate joined in. The opening of the High Speed rail link allowed Conservatives further positive press coverage, ending the year on a high.
The good end to the year glossed over the Leas Lifts stories and allegations of non-transparency which sent plenty of negative press to the Conservatives.
While so many councillors ensures control, splits could open. A few years ago a controlling group of 29 Lib Dems went into meltdown. Several Lib Dems crossed the floor to Conservatives or formed their own groups. Reasons are different depending on who you talk to, but it is hard to believe that all of the Conservative group are dyed-in-the-wool true blues.
While Conservatives vote together in Council meetings, sources say that discussions within the group over the voting can be long and hard. Sometimes councillors look uneasy as they are called to vote on contentious issues or struggle to respond to accusations of being ‘non-transparent’ such as last year’s changes to the constitution.
It is not difficult to imagine a series of difficult decisions in the next two years resulting in councillors leaving the Conservative group. Conservative Hythe Town Councillor Richard Carroll resigned in October 2009 after the District Council planning Committee voted through the Hythe Imperial plans. More councillors may follow Mr Carroll’s lead. With local elections scheduled for 2011, there’s plenty of time for hard decisions to come up – by then even the Lydd Airport applications may have been decided!
Lib Dem and other interested people claim to know several Conservative councillors who want to leave the group, but can’t for fear of destroying their own vote through criss-crossing the floor. Some commentators repeatedly assert that a return of former Shepway Lib Dem Toby Philpott, who left in fractious circumstances, as an independent PPC would be worse for the Conservatives than the Shepway Lib Dem group.
If Mr Philpott were to return to local politics, councillors who crossed the floor as a result of the fallout when he left the group could then split from the Conservatives to form a new body. For now that is pure speculation.
If Mr Philpott were to return to local politics, councillors who crossed the floor as a result of the fallout when he left the group could then split from the Conservatives to form a new body. For now that is pure speculation.
Other factors may play a part. Council Leader Robert Bliss lost his seat on the County Council due to UKIP taking a large section of the Conservative vote. While UKIP look unlikely to win seats nationally or locally their effect as a vote splitter could have an effect in Shepway. Of course, UKIP are not the only potential vote splitters, with the BNP having a presence in the area.
Finally, such a dominant group will naturally take most of the blame when things go wrong, in some cases unfairly. If the Hythe Sainsbury’s is a disaster, will voters realise that it was Lib Dem votes ‘wot won it’?
Shepway Conservatives are in a strong position, but as the Lib Dems found, the bigger they are the harder they fall.
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
Conservative Chairman Reiterates Support for Dungeness C
Conservative Chariman and Shepway District Councillor Russell Tillson has reiterated Shepway Conservatives’ commitment to a new Dungeness C power station following a recent announcement by Shepway Liberal Democrat Leader Lynne Beaumont to hold an ‘Eco-Tourism summit’ to discuss alternative plans for Romney Marsh.
In an email to FUTS, Cllr Tillson says ‘There is little that Cllr Mrs Beaumont has said with which I disagree – except, of course, for her attempt to write Dungeness C out of the script. The importance of Dungeness cannot be understated.’
Revealing the council has commissioned a specialist report into the matter and is ‘putting enormous pressure on the government to alter its decision’, Cllr Tillson describes the power station as ‘vital’ to the local economy, stating the existing A and B stations employ over 1000 people, inject ‘over £30 million’ into the local economy, and that '9.6% of men on the Marsh work in electricity, gas and water supply, the overwhelming majority of whom work in electricity generation'.
‘This is employment we cannot do without, and Dungeness C must go ahead, since it will create employment for at least 400 people directly and probably another 100 jobs indirectly in shops, hotels and suppliers of other goods and services.
‘I don’t see tourism as an alternative to the power station, but rather as a complement. Nobody who lives on the Marsh is keener than I am to support the development of tourism. Indeed I look forward to the day when our Marsh coastline is full of hotels, B&Bs, restaurants, pubs and shops.
‘The Environment Agency, however, might have other ideas about tourist development since much of the Marsh area lies in a high risk Category 3A flood risk area.’
Noting that tourist season lasts for ‘six months at best’ and would only provide ‘low-paid’ employment, Cllr Tillson has offers to meet Cllr Beaumont to discuss the issue further.
‘Cllr Mrs Beaumont wants me to attend a meeting to debate all this. And she likes cycling. So I’ll do better than that. I invite Cllr Mrs Beaumont to join me on a day’s bike ride which will enable us to discuss her Business Plan at length, and will have the added benefit of introducing a lady from Folkestone to the various attractions across the Marsh, many of which might very well be quite new to her.’
The government’s decision to not consider Dungeness as a site for a new-build power station has provoked much comment and debate. The Liberal Democrats have been pushing for an alternative vision for the Marsh and have recently raised concerns over the future of waste storage at the site. The Conservative group is strongly in favour of a new nuclear power station.
Recently there appears to have been some softening of positions on both sides. In a similar fashion to Cllr Tillson’s comments, Cllr Beaumont recently said to Romney Marsh Times that tourism plans would ‘complement' a power station and that it is not an 'either/or decision.'
Whether Cllr Tillson and Beaumont will enjoy a bike ride together remains to be seen.
In an email to FUTS, Cllr Tillson says ‘There is little that Cllr Mrs Beaumont has said with which I disagree – except, of course, for her attempt to write Dungeness C out of the script. The importance of Dungeness cannot be understated.’
Revealing the council has commissioned a specialist report into the matter and is ‘putting enormous pressure on the government to alter its decision’, Cllr Tillson describes the power station as ‘vital’ to the local economy, stating the existing A and B stations employ over 1000 people, inject ‘over £30 million’ into the local economy, and that '9.6% of men on the Marsh work in electricity, gas and water supply, the overwhelming majority of whom work in electricity generation'.
‘This is employment we cannot do without, and Dungeness C must go ahead, since it will create employment for at least 400 people directly and probably another 100 jobs indirectly in shops, hotels and suppliers of other goods and services.
‘I don’t see tourism as an alternative to the power station, but rather as a complement. Nobody who lives on the Marsh is keener than I am to support the development of tourism. Indeed I look forward to the day when our Marsh coastline is full of hotels, B&Bs, restaurants, pubs and shops.
‘The Environment Agency, however, might have other ideas about tourist development since much of the Marsh area lies in a high risk Category 3A flood risk area.’
Noting that tourist season lasts for ‘six months at best’ and would only provide ‘low-paid’ employment, Cllr Tillson has offers to meet Cllr Beaumont to discuss the issue further.
‘Cllr Mrs Beaumont wants me to attend a meeting to debate all this. And she likes cycling. So I’ll do better than that. I invite Cllr Mrs Beaumont to join me on a day’s bike ride which will enable us to discuss her Business Plan at length, and will have the added benefit of introducing a lady from Folkestone to the various attractions across the Marsh, many of which might very well be quite new to her.’
The government’s decision to not consider Dungeness as a site for a new-build power station has provoked much comment and debate. The Liberal Democrats have been pushing for an alternative vision for the Marsh and have recently raised concerns over the future of waste storage at the site. The Conservative group is strongly in favour of a new nuclear power station.
Recently there appears to have been some softening of positions on both sides. In a similar fashion to Cllr Tillson’s comments, Cllr Beaumont recently said to Romney Marsh Times that tourism plans would ‘complement' a power station and that it is not an 'either/or decision.'
Whether Cllr Tillson and Beaumont will enjoy a bike ride together remains to be seen.
Tuesday, 19 January 2010
Toby Or Not Toby, And Other News From The Lib Dem Frontline
Toby Philpott has still not declared whether he will run for parliament,and his latest tweet "is developing ideas to crack some tough nuts and regenerate Shepway in a sustainable way" is ambiguous.
Philpott could be something of a vote wrecker for the Lib Dem candidate Lynne Beaumont. Senior Lib dem sources have told FUTS they feel that as an independent he would have next to no effect and they are not worried. Will Philpott call their bluff?
Meanwhile, following on from the previous post, serial Lib dem tweeter and blogger Cllr Tim Prater has tweeted "Shepway Full Council meeting tomorrow at 7pm at Shepway Civic Centre. Agenda includes 3 Tory motions, just 2 seriously self-congratulatory."
Unfortunately FUTS will not be in attendance, due to a birthday meal in Dover.
As Dover is only 8 miles down the coast, the author is hopeful of spying fireworks from the Civic Chamber, or hearing faint jeers if the wind is in the right direction when it all kicks off.
Philpott could be something of a vote wrecker for the Lib Dem candidate Lynne Beaumont. Senior Lib dem sources have told FUTS they feel that as an independent he would have next to no effect and they are not worried. Will Philpott call their bluff?
Meanwhile, following on from the previous post, serial Lib dem tweeter and blogger Cllr Tim Prater has tweeted "Shepway Full Council meeting tomorrow at 7pm at Shepway Civic Centre. Agenda includes 3 Tory motions, just 2 seriously self-congratulatory."
Unfortunately FUTS will not be in attendance, due to a birthday meal in Dover.
As Dover is only 8 miles down the coast, the author is hopeful of spying fireworks from the Civic Chamber, or hearing faint jeers if the wind is in the right direction when it all kicks off.
Monday, 18 January 2010
Marsh Future and Shepway Roads up for Debate at Council Meeting.
The future of Romney Marsh and the Kent County Council’s (KCC) care of Shepway’s roads are to be debated at a Council meeting this Wednesday.
These and other motions, which include congratulating Hythe Council for an honour bestowed on Michael Howard, look likely to generate heated debate in the Civic Chamber.
For Opposition Business the Liberal Democrat group has raised ‘The future of tourism on Romney Marsh.’
Concerns for the Marsh economy have been growing since the government’s decision in 2009 to not consider Dungeness as a site for a new nuclear power station. The Liberal Democrats have been promoting the idea of a tourism-centred economy for the Marsh which is at odds with Conservative calls for a new power station to be built.
15 minutes is allowed for the discussion of opposition business.
The Conservative group has raised three motions.
The first calls for the council to congratulate Hythe Town Council ‘on its admirable decision to bestow the honour of Freeman of Hythe Town upon the Rt. Hon. Michael Howard QC, MP, in recognition of his distinguished and dedicated service over 27 years to the Town, and to the entire Folkestone and Hythe constituency.’
Senior Liberal Democrat sources have told FUTS of their concerns that in the 27 years of Mr Howard as Folkestone and Hythe MP, some areas of Shepway have failed to rise out of the top 10% of most deprived wards in the country.
Previous debates have seen the Liberal Democrat group accuse the Conservatives of ‘backslapping’ and their reaction to this motion may be similar.
A second motion urges Stagecoach to ensure timetables are present in all bus stops and vandalism is repaired.
The third motion ‘compliments’ and ‘congratulates’ KCC for its gritting of primary routes during the recent bad weather and is ‘grateful’ for communication with residents via radio and television.
The motion then grows more critical of the Conservative led KCC. ‘This Council, however, hopes that KCC might in future extend its activities to incorporate a rather larger number of rural country lanes, and suggests that it should reconsider its current policy where if a road is not included on a salting route it will not then be considered again until the next annual review during the following summer.
‘Once the snow and ice have finally gone, this Council hopes that KCC will turn its attention with some rapidity to the urgent and overdue repair of the growing number of potholes appearing in roads across the District. This in turn implies the need for more regular inspections and surveys, and a greater commitment to redressing the accumulating problems and hazards.’
Up to 60 minutes is allowed for each motion. Discussions on Forrester’s Way car park and land at West Hythe Beach will then be discussed without members of the press or public present due to the likely disclosure of ‘exempt information’, such as confidential commercial information.
The meeting is this Wednesday in the Council Chamber in the Civic Centre at 7pm.
These and other motions, which include congratulating Hythe Council for an honour bestowed on Michael Howard, look likely to generate heated debate in the Civic Chamber.
For Opposition Business the Liberal Democrat group has raised ‘The future of tourism on Romney Marsh.’
Concerns for the Marsh economy have been growing since the government’s decision in 2009 to not consider Dungeness as a site for a new nuclear power station. The Liberal Democrats have been promoting the idea of a tourism-centred economy for the Marsh which is at odds with Conservative calls for a new power station to be built.
15 minutes is allowed for the discussion of opposition business.
The Conservative group has raised three motions.
The first calls for the council to congratulate Hythe Town Council ‘on its admirable decision to bestow the honour of Freeman of Hythe Town upon the Rt. Hon. Michael Howard QC, MP, in recognition of his distinguished and dedicated service over 27 years to the Town, and to the entire Folkestone and Hythe constituency.’
Senior Liberal Democrat sources have told FUTS of their concerns that in the 27 years of Mr Howard as Folkestone and Hythe MP, some areas of Shepway have failed to rise out of the top 10% of most deprived wards in the country.
Previous debates have seen the Liberal Democrat group accuse the Conservatives of ‘backslapping’ and their reaction to this motion may be similar.
A second motion urges Stagecoach to ensure timetables are present in all bus stops and vandalism is repaired.
The third motion ‘compliments’ and ‘congratulates’ KCC for its gritting of primary routes during the recent bad weather and is ‘grateful’ for communication with residents via radio and television.
The motion then grows more critical of the Conservative led KCC. ‘This Council, however, hopes that KCC might in future extend its activities to incorporate a rather larger number of rural country lanes, and suggests that it should reconsider its current policy where if a road is not included on a salting route it will not then be considered again until the next annual review during the following summer.
‘Once the snow and ice have finally gone, this Council hopes that KCC will turn its attention with some rapidity to the urgent and overdue repair of the growing number of potholes appearing in roads across the District. This in turn implies the need for more regular inspections and surveys, and a greater commitment to redressing the accumulating problems and hazards.’
Up to 60 minutes is allowed for each motion. Discussions on Forrester’s Way car park and land at West Hythe Beach will then be discussed without members of the press or public present due to the likely disclosure of ‘exempt information’, such as confidential commercial information.
The meeting is this Wednesday in the Council Chamber in the Civic Centre at 7pm.
Sunday, 10 January 2010
Lynne Beaumont is Folkestone and Hythe Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate
Town, district and county councillor Tim Prater has revealed that Shepway Liberal Democrat Leader Lynne Beaumont will be the Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Folkestone and Hythe.
In a tweet on January 9, Cllr Prater wrote 'Lynne Beaumont selected as Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Folkestone & Hythe. Congratulations @lynnebeaumont'.
The position has been open since late October 2009 when Cllr Neil Matthews stepped down citing personal reasons.
Cllrs Prater and Beaumont were widely regarded to be the favourites for the position. Cllr Prater counted himself out in December 2009. The position has been the subject of much speculation since the exit of former candidate Toby Philpott. Mr Philpott has not yet announced his intentions but has previously commented on the position.
Confirmed PPCs for the Folkestone and Hythe seat from the main parties are currently Damian Collins for the Conservatives, Donald Worsley for Labour and Lynne Beaumont for the Liberal Democrats.
In a tweet on January 9, Cllr Prater wrote 'Lynne Beaumont selected as Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Folkestone & Hythe. Congratulations @lynnebeaumont'.
The position has been open since late October 2009 when Cllr Neil Matthews stepped down citing personal reasons.
Cllrs Prater and Beaumont were widely regarded to be the favourites for the position. Cllr Prater counted himself out in December 2009. The position has been the subject of much speculation since the exit of former candidate Toby Philpott. Mr Philpott has not yet announced his intentions but has previously commented on the position.
Confirmed PPCs for the Folkestone and Hythe seat from the main parties are currently Damian Collins for the Conservatives, Donald Worsley for Labour and Lynne Beaumont for the Liberal Democrats.
Wednesday, 6 January 2010
Toby Philpott Cryptic Latest
Another year rolls round, and 2010 already looks to be a corker for watchers of the Shepway body politic.
Cllr Russell Tillson has produced a strong statement for the local Conservative association, the Lib Dems are getting stuck into Dungeness once again (more on this shortly) and the Lydd airport decision is only months away.*
To cap it all, 'international man of mystery' Toby Philpott, ex PPC for Shepway Lib Dems, 'is weighing options and taking soundings in the light of information that has recently come to his attention', at least according to his latest tweet.
Yes the pic is a shameful rehash of one I put up before - it's late.
*absolutely not a guarantee.
Cllr Russell Tillson has produced a strong statement for the local Conservative association, the Lib Dems are getting stuck into Dungeness once again (more on this shortly) and the Lydd airport decision is only months away.*
To cap it all, 'international man of mystery' Toby Philpott, ex PPC for Shepway Lib Dems, 'is weighing options and taking soundings in the light of information that has recently come to his attention', at least according to his latest tweet.Perhaps it's just wishful thinking that this tweet is related to the imminent decision on the next Lib Dem PPC - definitely not Cllr Tim Prater and generally thought to be Cllr Lynne Beaumont?
Mr Philpott was ousted from this position some time ago in circumstances that remain unclear and have led to some public slanging. Last October, via the 'twittersphere', Mr Philpott made the following statement: Toby Philpott 'is putting the Liberal Democrats on warning that if the coming F&H PPC selection is a "stitch up" YOU WILL BE OPPOSED! Clear enough for you?'
Yes the pic is a shameful rehash of one I put up before - it's late.
Thursday, 17 December 2009
Recriminations Fly Over Hythe By-election Campaigns
Liberal Democrats and Conservatives are each accusing the other of unfair campaigning during the run up to the recent by-election in Hythe held on December 10. Conservative Rosemary Griffiths won the seat with 556 votes, Liberal Democrat Neil Matthews being the only other candidate polling 466 votes.
A statement on the Conservative website described Cllr Matthews as ‘some former Parliamentary Candidate who already had a track record of costing Hythe West residents plenty of money when last he was a town councillor,’ and called the Lib Dem campaign ‘malicious and outrageous.’ (http://www.shepwayconservatives.org.uk/index.php?sectionid=3&pagenumber=452) while the Liberal Democrat announcement was more genial in tone (http://www.shepwaylibdems.org.uk/news/001700/big_swing_to_lib_dems_in_hythe_west_but_conservatives_retain_seat.html).
Asked for comment, Cllr Matthews attacked Conservative campaign literature as distasteful and inaccurate.
When asked if these statements were fair and reasonable Chairman of Folkestone and Hythe Conservatives and Shepway District Councillor Russell Tillson hit back, describing the Lib Dem campaign as ‘a mix of irrelevance, unsubstantiated claims, scaremongering and empty promises,’ and stated the party was looking into the legality of Liberal Democrat methods.
‘Two LibDem propaganda exercises circulated on polling day itself these were deeply irresponsible and of questionable legality - we are currently reviewing the latter.’
‘The first was an A4 flyer, printed entirely in blue, delivered early in the morning, and purporting to come from the Conservatives, offering an 'apology' for statements made in a Conservative leaflet about the Olivers and the claiming of allowances, statements which were in fact entirely accurate.
‘The second was an official-looking envelope, ostensibly a council tax demand from the Hythe Town Council, which when opened contained further LibDem propaganda.
‘Both exercises in negative campaigning naturally backfired, as the significant Conservative margin of victory appears to testify.’
Cllr Tillson also defended remarks comparing Liberals to cancer as ‘innovative and witty,’ adding that ‘the properties attributed to the herb [Rosemary] can be sourced in any encyclopaedia, and are wholly authentic.’
‘Given the LibDems' appalling past record of wasting taxpayers' money in Hythe, I have no difficulty in making the public comparison, and believe it requires no defence.’
The by-election was triggered when the Conservative incumbent Richard Carroll stepped down in October in protest at the granting of permission by Shepway Development Control Committee for a large development on the grounds of the Hotel Imperial.
A statement on the Conservative website described Cllr Matthews as ‘some former Parliamentary Candidate who already had a track record of costing Hythe West residents plenty of money when last he was a town councillor,’ and called the Lib Dem campaign ‘malicious and outrageous.’ (http://www.shepwayconservatives.org.uk/index.php?sectionid=3&pagenumber=452) while the Liberal Democrat announcement was more genial in tone (http://www.shepwaylibdems.org.uk/news/001700/big_swing_to_lib_dems_in_hythe_west_but_conservatives_retain_seat.html).
Asked for comment, Cllr Matthews attacked Conservative campaign literature as distasteful and inaccurate.
Referring to a box titled ‘Rosemary Is Good For Your Health’ in one Conservative leaflet, which included the phrase ‘Your DNA is particularly prone to injury from liberals. Left unchecked, this damage can eventually lead to cells proliferating out of control, which greatly increases the risk of local cancers,’ Cllr Matthews stated
‘Many people have spoken to me about her opinion. Those people, particularly those who have lost close relatives to cancer have difficulty understanding how she sees the world…to dislike a political party because of her belief people's DNA are at risk, frankly I find truly uncomfortable and alarming.’
Cllr Matthews also noted the case of Linda and John Oliver. Both were Hythe town councillors and Mrs Oliver was a district councillor. They remained in position drawing expenses even after they had moved to Bath, becoming the focus of much comment (http://www.yourshepway.co.uk/kent-news/Tory-Oliver-defends-council-role-in-Somerset-newsinkent24541.aspx?news=local and http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/7256243.stm), and were repeatedly mentioned by Liberal Democrats during the campaign.
When asked if these statements were fair and reasonable Chairman of Folkestone and Hythe Conservatives and Shepway District Councillor Russell Tillson hit back, describing the Lib Dem campaign as ‘a mix of irrelevance, unsubstantiated claims, scaremongering and empty promises,’ and stated the party was looking into the legality of Liberal Democrat methods.
‘Two LibDem propaganda exercises circulated on polling day itself these were deeply irresponsible and of questionable legality - we are currently reviewing the latter.’
‘The first was an A4 flyer, printed entirely in blue, delivered early in the morning, and purporting to come from the Conservatives, offering an 'apology' for statements made in a Conservative leaflet about the Olivers and the claiming of allowances, statements which were in fact entirely accurate.
‘The second was an official-looking envelope, ostensibly a council tax demand from the Hythe Town Council, which when opened contained further LibDem propaganda.
‘Both exercises in negative campaigning naturally backfired, as the significant Conservative margin of victory appears to testify.’
Cllr Tillson also defended remarks comparing Liberals to cancer as ‘innovative and witty,’ adding that ‘the properties attributed to the herb [Rosemary] can be sourced in any encyclopaedia, and are wholly authentic.’
‘Given the LibDems' appalling past record of wasting taxpayers' money in Hythe, I have no difficulty in making the public comparison, and believe it requires no defence.’
The by-election was triggered when the Conservative incumbent Richard Carroll stepped down in October in protest at the granting of permission by Shepway Development Control Committee for a large development on the grounds of the Hotel Imperial.
Tuesday, 15 December 2009
Conservatives Claim Success on Parking Charges in Shepway.
Shepway District Council has said that the introduction of car parking charges at Castle Road car park, Hythe, could net over £20,000 which will benefit the local community.
Previously Sandgate Parish Council paid Shepway District Council £1800 to keep the carpark free.
In a press release on the council website (http://www.shepway.gov.uk/content/view/200886/1922/), Conservative Council Leader Robert Bliss said, ‘The figures so far have been positive. Our projected income from the time the parking charges were introduced to the end of the financial year was £8300 and so far we have taken almost £6000. Obviously we recognise that during these winter months, the amount taken will be lower than in warmer times.
‘It is expected that the revenue from this particular car park, which is already significantly higher than the amount previously paid yearly by Sandgate Parish Council, will be put towards funding of future community based projects that will benefit the whole of the District."
Pushed through by the Conservative controlled council, Liberal Democrats have consistently campaigned against the introduction of charges and questioned their effectiveness.
Town, District and County Councillor Tim Prater, in articles on his website (http://www.prater.org.uk/news/000121/sandgate_castle_road_car_park_falling_short_on_income_targets_shock.html and http://www.prater.org.uk/news/000104/shepway_council_misled_sandgate_on_car_park_income.html) says ‘The figures clearly show that Shepway will fall well short of the predicted £25,000 a year take on the car park, as many of us predicted when the scheme was introduced.
‘Despite assertions by Shepway Council, the introduction of parking charges has hurt most Sandgate residents and businesses, without looking like it'll even raise the income they hoped. What a way to treat a village.’
Commenting on plans to introduce charges at other car parks in the area and raise fees (http://www.shepwaylibdems.org.uk/news/001694/revealed_shepway_plans_to_end_free_hythe_parking_and_increase_pay_and_display_charges.html), District Councillor Neil Matthews said ‘If you tried to put together a plan to hurt Hythe more, it would be hard to do.
‘Last year Council parking charges went up, and the total amount of money earned from its car parks went DOWN as users voted with their feet.’
Cllr Monk was contacted for his opinion on Liberal Democrat views via the council website, but has yet to respond.
Update - the Lib Dem group have responded to this, which unfortunately went in my Spam folder. Apologies to the Lib Dems and others. The above post remains accurate, and another post will detail the response shortly.
Previously Sandgate Parish Council paid Shepway District Council £1800 to keep the carpark free.
In a press release on the council website (http://www.shepway.gov.uk/content/view/200886/1922/), Conservative Council Leader Robert Bliss said, ‘The figures so far have been positive. Our projected income from the time the parking charges were introduced to the end of the financial year was £8300 and so far we have taken almost £6000. Obviously we recognise that during these winter months, the amount taken will be lower than in warmer times.
‘It is expected that the revenue from this particular car park, which is already significantly higher than the amount previously paid yearly by Sandgate Parish Council, will be put towards funding of future community based projects that will benefit the whole of the District."
Pushed through by the Conservative controlled council, Liberal Democrats have consistently campaigned against the introduction of charges and questioned their effectiveness.
Town, District and County Councillor Tim Prater, in articles on his website (http://www.prater.org.uk/news/000121/sandgate_castle_road_car_park_falling_short_on_income_targets_shock.html and http://www.prater.org.uk/news/000104/shepway_council_misled_sandgate_on_car_park_income.html) says ‘The figures clearly show that Shepway will fall well short of the predicted £25,000 a year take on the car park, as many of us predicted when the scheme was introduced.
‘Despite assertions by Shepway Council, the introduction of parking charges has hurt most Sandgate residents and businesses, without looking like it'll even raise the income they hoped. What a way to treat a village.’
Commenting on plans to introduce charges at other car parks in the area and raise fees (http://www.shepwaylibdems.org.uk/news/001694/revealed_shepway_plans_to_end_free_hythe_parking_and_increase_pay_and_display_charges.html), District Councillor Neil Matthews said ‘If you tried to put together a plan to hurt Hythe more, it would be hard to do.
‘Last year Council parking charges went up, and the total amount of money earned from its car parks went DOWN as users voted with their feet.’
Cllr Monk was contacted for his opinion on Liberal Democrat views via the council website, but has yet to respond.
Update - the Lib Dem group have responded to this, which unfortunately went in my Spam folder. Apologies to the Lib Dems and others. The above post remains accurate, and another post will detail the response shortly.
Friday, 11 December 2009
Conservatives Win Hythe West and Slam Lib Dems
Conservative Rosemary Griffiths has won the Hythe West Town Council seat with 53.5% of the total votes cast. Neil Matthews of the Liberal Democrats polled 44.5%.
A statement on the Folkestone and Hythe Conservatives website (http://www.shepwayconservatives.org.uk/index.php?sectionid=3&pagenumber=452) carries the result and launches an astonishing attack on the Liberal Democrats for having a 'dinosaur approach to campaigning.'
The statement, intitially unauthored but updated to include the name Gordon Williams Conservative Party agent, continues; 'They [voters] wanted a representative who cared about the community, not some former Parliamentary Candidate who already had a track record of costing Hythe West residents plenty of money when last he was a town councillor.
'For my own part, I hope the LibDems continue with their pathetic style of campaigning - it garners additonal votes we wouldn't normally get from people who know exactly where the dividing line exists between decency on the one hand and the LibDems on the other!!'
The Liberal Democrats are drawing some comfort from the result. In a statement on the Lib Dem website (http://www.shepwaylibdems.org.uk/news/001700/big_swing_to_lib_dems_in_hythe_west_but_conservatives_retain_seat.html) Campaign manager and councillor Tim Prater congratulates Rosemary Griffiths and commends Neil Matthews for a 'sterling' campaign.
"It's never good to lose, but the result shows how competitive Hythe West has become - we've seen a big swing from the Conservatives to the Liberal Democrats since 2007.
'Going into the New Year, we're confident and upbeat about our prospects across the area.'
The by election was triggered when Conservative Councillor Richard Carroll resigned in protest over the granting of planning permission for a major development on the Hotel Imperial grounds by Shepway's planning committee.
A statement on the Folkestone and Hythe Conservatives website (http://www.shepwayconservatives.org.uk/index.php?sectionid=3&pagenumber=452) carries the result and launches an astonishing attack on the Liberal Democrats for having a 'dinosaur approach to campaigning.'
The statement, intitially unauthored but updated to include the name Gordon Williams Conservative Party agent, continues; 'They [voters] wanted a representative who cared about the community, not some former Parliamentary Candidate who already had a track record of costing Hythe West residents plenty of money when last he was a town councillor.
'For my own part, I hope the LibDems continue with their pathetic style of campaigning - it garners additonal votes we wouldn't normally get from people who know exactly where the dividing line exists between decency on the one hand and the LibDems on the other!!'
The Liberal Democrats are drawing some comfort from the result. In a statement on the Lib Dem website (http://www.shepwaylibdems.org.uk/news/001700/big_swing_to_lib_dems_in_hythe_west_but_conservatives_retain_seat.html) Campaign manager and councillor Tim Prater congratulates Rosemary Griffiths and commends Neil Matthews for a 'sterling' campaign.
"It's never good to lose, but the result shows how competitive Hythe West has become - we've seen a big swing from the Conservatives to the Liberal Democrats since 2007.
'Going into the New Year, we're confident and upbeat about our prospects across the area.'
The by election was triggered when Conservative Councillor Richard Carroll resigned in protest over the granting of planning permission for a major development on the Hotel Imperial grounds by Shepway's planning committee.
Friday, 4 December 2009
Tim Prater Not In PPC Race
Over the course of the last few weeks, since Neil Matthews stepped down, the future Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for the Lib Dems has been the source of much discussion for those interested in local politics (all three of us).
Not since the iron curtain was up and members of the Politburo lined up to oversee the victory parade has there been such furtive speculation as to who is in which position!
Observers noted Cllr Tim Prater's views and pronouncements on Marsh based development with interest. Perhaps, in commenting on the Marsh Cllr Prater was spreading wings in an attempt to bring Martians (is that right?) into the Lib Dem fold.
"I'm now a Councillor at 3 levels, and very happy to be so - I'm going to try to do the best job at those that I can."
Presumably the way is open for Cllr Lynne Beaumont, as the Herald predicted some time ago. Unless there is a surprise waiting in the wings...
Thursday, 26 November 2009
Conservatives Criticised Over Council Pay Freeze
The Conservative group came under fire over their proposal to freeze councillors’ expenses and allowances in a Council meeting held on November 24, at the Civic Centre.
The motion was passed unanimously, but not before Liberal Democrat councillors questioned why the Conservative group had not agreed to this earlier in the year when suggested as an amendment by Liberal Democrats (see minutes page 29 http://www.shepway.gov.uk/webapp/service/cads/doc/council/Minutes%20%20Public/mcoun20090219.doc?download=download)
Cllr Carroll said "In February I moved to that we should freeze allowances. The Conservatives belly-laughed and guffawed.
Leading the first of several allegations that party whipping was the reason for the Conservative's change of heart, cllr Carroll claimed "something else is at work.”
People First cllr Paul Marsh also attacked the Conservative group, saying he could "never remember the Conservative group recommending a pay freeze." Cllr Marsh also said the Conservatives usually vote for increases, and Conservative cllr Rory Love had increased his own remuneration by 600% .
Conservative councillor David Monk denied that any whipping had taken place. Cllr Tilson (Cons) thanked the chamber for so many congratulations, though the Conservative group did not deny or seek to defend their earlier record.
The motion passed.
The motion was passed unanimously, but not before Liberal Democrat councillors questioned why the Conservative group had not agreed to this earlier in the year when suggested as an amendment by Liberal Democrats (see minutes page 29 http://www.shepway.gov.uk/webapp/service/cads/doc/council/Minutes%20%20Public/mcoun20090219.doc?download=download)
Cllr Carroll said "In February I moved to that we should freeze allowances. The Conservatives belly-laughed and guffawed.
Leading the first of several allegations that party whipping was the reason for the Conservative's change of heart, cllr Carroll claimed "something else is at work.”
People First cllr Paul Marsh also attacked the Conservative group, saying he could "never remember the Conservative group recommending a pay freeze." Cllr Marsh also said the Conservatives usually vote for increases, and Conservative cllr Rory Love had increased his own remuneration by 600% .
Conservative councillor David Monk denied that any whipping had taken place. Cllr Tilson (Cons) thanked the chamber for so many congratulations, though the Conservative group did not deny or seek to defend their earlier record.
The motion passed.
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Council Debate Goes Nuclear About ‘Back of a Fag Packet’ Dungeness Motion
At one point Chairperson Councillor Susan Carey had to stand to force Councillor Lynne Beaumont (Lib Dem) to sit down after she had suggested Cllr Alan Clifton-Holt (Cons) ‘get his ears checked’ following a misunderstanding.
The motion, raised by the Conservative group, proposed that the council ‘greets with incredulity the decision by the Labour Government to exclude Dungeness from the short list of ten sites considered suitable for the construction of new nuclear power stations.’
Branding the Government ‘negligent,’ the motion highlighted the possible effect of job losses and the impact on Kent’s ability to fulfil demand for electricity and called for lobbying and publicity of the Council’s objection to the decision.
Split into 5 parts, the motion called for
- A letter from the Chief Executive to the Secretary of State for the Department of Energy and Climate Change to express in the strongest possible terms the Council’s objection.
- The Chief Executive to demand a rationale for the decision in any reply to the letter, with a ‘detailed summary of the strategies and plans that the Government has in place to provide alternative employment.’
- To publicise the Council’s objections.
- All PPCs to ‘lobby the Government relentlessly.’
- Refer the issue to the Community Overview Committee ‘with a view to the committee being placed in a position to reinforce the power station’s arguments for the retention and expansion of Dungeness.
Cllr Valerie Loseby (Lib Dem) criticised the Conservative dominated council, saying ‘you shouldn’t rely on the Government to provide alternatives. That is the responsibility of the Council.’
Cllr Lynne Beamont (Lib Dem) was the most forthright in her criticism. Commenting that the motion was ‘badly worded’ and ‘crassly stupid,’ she attacked the Conservative administration for voting in the special reserve areas now hampering the application.
Speaking longer than her allotted 5 minutes, with some barracking in the chamber, Cllr Beaumont was asked at one point to address the council through the chair as her style and ‘jabbing fingers’ were contributing to a breakdown of order in the debate.
Cllr Neil Matthews (Lib Dem) also criticised the ‘flippant’ nature of the motion, saying it was strewn with inaccuracies. The proposed letter from the Chief Executive should go to two Secretaries of State, the council was already publicising its displeasure, that the motion was cheap political point scoring and that the motion was pre-empting the decision of the Community Overview Committee.
All Liberal Democrat speakers were concerned about waste disposal and health risks. Cllr Lynne Beaumont claimed that ‘high-level waste’ was held on the site, a view challenged by almost all other councillors.
In heated exchanges, Conservative councillors hit back at these claims.
Cllr Richard Pascoe (Cons), recalling his time as a fire fighter, rubbished security concerns saying ‘Transport [of waste] is one of the safest methods ever designed.’ Cllrs Malcom Dearden and David Monk (Cons) highlighted the need for employment on the Marsh, which has some of the worst school exam results in the county.
Disagreeing with Cllr Beaumont over the position of the site, Cllr William Richardson (Cons) claimed the site would be within the existing nuclear power station fence and that the ‘whole area is concrete anyway.’
Taking issue with Liberal Democrat Tim Prater’s vision for the Marsh, Cllr Russel Tilson (Cons) accused Cllr Prater of living in ‘cloud cuckoo land,’ and ‘a fantasy world of cyclepaths, B&Bs on stilts and water lifts.’ Cllr Tilson also noted Cllr Prater had written that ‘Dungeness has a long and proud association with the safe generation of nuclear power,’ which roused laughter around the chamber.
Cllr Paul Marsh (People First) suggested splitting the motion into its constituent parts for voting, which did not pass.
The motion passed with Conservatives voting in favour, with Cllr Brian Copping (People First). The majority of Liberal Democrats voted against, with Cllr Matthews and Cllr Marsh abstaining.
Monday, 16 November 2009
Folkestone and Hythe - Tory Safe Seat?
Elizabeth Truss, Conservative candidate for the safe seat of South West Norfolk, has survived possible deselection (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/conservative/6584831/Tory-candidate-Elizabeth-Truss-avoids-deselection.html).
Miss Truss' position had been called into question ostensibly due to an affair, which took place several years earlier. However, some observers noted that a vote to deselect Miss Truss, a candidate close to leader David Cameron who appears to have been parachuted into the seat, could have sent ripples of dissent out to other local branches keen to oust their own candidates. Channel 4 News reported that the South West Norfolk Conservative Party had recieved calls from other party branches on this issue.
Of course nothing similar could be on the cards for sleepy Shepway and the political certainty that is Damian Collins. Could it? One gossip is reporting rumours of disquiet in the Tory ranks and more alarmingly that 'there have also been suggestions that Collins has assassins on the prowl removing the old Praetorian Guard' (http://www.my-kent.com/index.php/Politics/folkestone-liberal-democrat-stands-down-as-ppc.html).
Hopefully not literally.
Miss Truss' position had been called into question ostensibly due to an affair, which took place several years earlier. However, some observers noted that a vote to deselect Miss Truss, a candidate close to leader David Cameron who appears to have been parachuted into the seat, could have sent ripples of dissent out to other local branches keen to oust their own candidates. Channel 4 News reported that the South West Norfolk Conservative Party had recieved calls from other party branches on this issue.
Of course nothing similar could be on the cards for sleepy Shepway and the political certainty that is Damian Collins. Could it? One gossip is reporting rumours of disquiet in the Tory ranks and more alarmingly that 'there have also been suggestions that Collins has assassins on the prowl removing the old Praetorian Guard' (http://www.my-kent.com/index.php/Politics/folkestone-liberal-democrat-stands-down-as-ppc.html).
Hopefully not literally.
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