Differing Views on Debates in Folkestone and Hythe

Conservative and Labour parliamentary candidates have said the leadership debates have had a minimal effect on Shepway voters, while Lib Dems are unsurprisingly buoyed by Leader Nick Clegg’s good showing.

The staging of leadership debates has produced vast amounts of comment and speculation. Mr Clegg appears to have gained the most, although the he had the least to loose from the debates.

Riding high in opinion polls, with some showing the Liberal Democrats more popular than Labour, Mr Clegg regularly appears on the front pages of newspapers, has hit the number one spot in ‘trending’ on Yahoo and is getting exposure that previous Lib Dem leaders could only dream of.

An excellent report in today’s Herald, which carried out a poll of Shepway voters, appears to show a ‘Clegg effect’, although it is not thought to be decisive.

Shepway Lib Dems have remarked on Mr Clegg’s strong performances on their website and are the only local party to publicise the debates on their website, perhaps an indicator of how wary other parties are of Mr Clegg's performances.

Senior Lib Dem Tim Prater stated to FUTS that ‘the Lib Dems are already about 10% up in the polls from the start of the campaign and averaging around 30%. If we got to 38-39% on polling day (which is less of a rise than we've already seen) then we'd be looking not just at a big gain in seats, but Lib Dems as the largest party.

‘And that would include Lynne Beaumont as the next MP for Folkestone and Hythe.

‘Is it going to happen? Don't know. But I do know I've been a Lib Dem Party member and activist for 19 years. Until a fortnight ago, there had been literally 3 or 4 national polls in total in that time that had the Lib Dems as anything but third, and never ONE during a General Election campaign.

‘In the last fortnight, we've been fairly consistently 2nd and within 3-4% of the Tories, and occasionally even ahead of them. I've never seen that before. Something has changed.’

In response to questions from FUTS, Conservative Damian Collins stated; ‘To be honest, we've not seem any real impact from the debates one way or the other.

‘Our campaigning data shows that our support remains at the levels we would hope for it to be, so there doesn't appear to be any evidence that people are switching. We also get a positive response out on the streets.

‘Conservative supporters will often tell us that they think David Cameron did very well and that this wasn't reported strongly enough in the media.

‘There is more scrutiny of Lib Dem 'policy' now as well. I have had people bringing up the issue of keeping trident, and saying they don't agree with the Lib Dem position of getting rid of it.’

The Herald report also has the Conservatives predicting a reduced majority of 9,000 votes, down from almost 12,000. This is put down to Michael Howard’s standing down and the effect of this on voters in the constituency.

Labour Leader Gordon Brown is arguably the least media savvy of the three main leaders, and is the only of the three not to have worked in Public Relations.

Labour Candidate Donald Worsley decried the debates as reducing politics to a ‘Beauty Contest’ but feels the impact will be minimal.

‘Talent shows thankfully do not hold the final sway on the Election outcome. Policies do and now the initial novelty is starting to wear off people on the doorstep and at the Hustings are beginning to ask about policies and seeing through the veneer of presentation.

‘Yes people mention the debates but then when they ask about the Labour Party's policies the debates are very quickly forgotten.’

Labour Leader Gordon Brown is arguably the least media savvy of the three main leaders, is the only of the three not to have worked in public relations and yesterday suffered arguably the worst gaffe of the campaign when he called an elderly voter ‘bigoted.’

Recent polls show the Liberal Democrats moving into second place behind the Conservative party, although the Liberal Democrats forming the next opposition party seems unlikely without reform of the ‘first past the post’ voting system.

Worsley Apologises for Gordon's Gaffe

Folkestone and Hythe Parliamentary Candidate Donald Worsley has apologised unreservedly for Labour leader Gordon Brown’s widely publicised remarks about Gillian Duffy.

Mr Brown faced questions from Mrs Duffy while campaigning in Rochdale. Mrs Duffy asked Mr Brown about Eastern Europeans flocking to the U.K.

Whilst in his car after the encounter Mr Brown referred to the meeting as a “disaster” and called Ms Duffy “a bigoted woman”, comments which were picked up by a microphone still on his person, sparking a media firestorm.

In a press release sent out yesterday afternoon, Mr Worsley states:

‘On behalf of Folkestone & Hythe Labour Party I apologise unreservedly to the people of this great Constituency for Gordon Brown’s offensive remarks about Mrs Gillian Duffy.                    

‘His off camera remarks were unacceptable and shamed the whole Labour movement. Calling her a “bigoted women” was inexcusable, whether to an aide in the back of a car or in front of the cameras.’

Addressing the issues around Sangatte or illegal entry into the country by economic refuges is what we should all be concentrating on, not calling each other names or slagging off hard working foreign workers here lawfully to help our economy prosper.

Mrs Duffy and others that share her views have the right to be heard with respect at all times. To do otherwise would make us no better than Nazi Germany or Stalinist Russia.’

This quickly became the lead story of the day. Mr Brown later visited Ms Duffy to apologise. This latest media frenzy will not help Mr Brown, who is noted for not having the smooth media presentation skills of rivals David Cameron and Nick Clegg.

Locally this may impact Mr Worsley’s share of the vote but his chances of winning in Folkestone and Hythe area at best remote, with Labour regularly finishing a distant third to the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. Conservative Damian Collins is the clear favourite for the seat.

All Go For Googies Cafe Campaign / Knives Out For Googies / Last Supper for Googies? / etc.

Popular Googies Art Café in Rendezvous Street is warning it faces closure after Shepway District Council refused an application for a late license on grounds of noise pollution.

However, a highly organised fight against the council's decision is emerging, with local promoters and politicians supporting Googies.The campaign appears to be off to a good start, with events promoter Louie Burns telling FUTS that South East News may film a piece and that the story will be front page lead in the Herald on Thursday (tomorrow).

A fundraising day of live music has been planned for May 3. ‘Googie Fest’ will have music outside from 2pm-5.30pm, and the entertainment will continue inside the cafe until 9.30pm.  A ‘Fight For Googies’ Facebook page has been set up which claims 'we want to cause the biggest stink Folkestone has ever seen.'

A press release states around 60 people attended a meeting at the cafe on April 17, organised and led by Louie Burns. Attendees were ‘clearly angry with the futility of the council’s decision and the clear disregard for them’ as speakers put forward the case for Googies. Louie Burns' promotions site 'Blueskypie' has held several events in Folkestone and has close links to Googies.

Mayor Janet Andrews spoke at the meeting, and Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate Lynne Beaumont and Conservative Parliamentary Candidate Damian Collins both offered help. Although not part of the Creative Foundation, the cafe prides itself on promoting local art and acting as a hub for creative talents in Folkestone.

Mr Collins, an ardent supporter of the cultural regeneration of the town, emailed FUTS explaining that he fully supported the cafe, and had even taken Development Control Committee member Cllr Hugh Barker to the meeting to give advice to Googies owner Keith Holland.

‘Given that other bars and venues have late licenses, and there are many other restaurants in the area, I cannot see why the council can't resolve these issues with Googies, and I hope that they will work with them to resolve this,’ wrote Mr Collins.

Louie Burns agreed, stating; ‘With Stones bar playing music until 2am that rattles the windows, with fights, police and noise constantly outside, it seems totally ridiculous to refuse Googies’ request to play acoustic music.’

Ms Beaumont had not responded to questions about her support at the time of posting. FUTS understands Ms Beaumont sent a letter to council planners, though in the run up to the election council officials have to be extremely careful in responding to or promoting candidates and councillors.

It is known that several of the café’s licensing requirements have been broken, including playing loud music and cooking food on the premises. Complaints have been received from the residents above the café about the noise and it is thought relations with residents and a neighbouring café are fractious.

Writing to FUTS, Keith Holland admitted breaking licensing rules, but explained that ‘food and coffee are slow’ and the licensing requirements were forcing him out of business;

‘Initially we were breaking our licensed hours and remaining open until 12. It was reported to the licensing team and we immediately changed our hours to 10. After 2 weeks we noticed a huge drop in customers. Being asked to leave by 10pm has kept them away.

‘I am now in personal debt and cannot sustain not taking a wage, being able to stay open late is essential for the success of the business. If I have to close I might open another Googies, but not in this town.’

A well placed source told FUTS that there might be a chance the license could be granted, though Googies would have to stick rigidly to the license requirements ‘for a few months.’
Cautioning that alterations would have to be made to the premises, including soundproofing, the source warned that generating lots of negative publicity for the council may backfire.

The source said; ‘It is then with the licensing board - if they see he has done the right things, if they see he regrets the previous actions, if neighbours et al support his application then he may get it. But nothing is guaranteed. Making a big noise in the Herald will not make that easier to achieve.’

In a statement to FUTS Shepway District Council wrote; ‘Obviously we welcome businesses that bring colour and vibrancy to our town centre. However, we also have to consider how a business such as this may affect people living near it.

‘Unlike other restaurants and bars nearby, there are six flats above Googies and we have already received complaints about noise.

‘Googies, can of course, appeal against our decision not to extend weekday opening hours to mid-night.’

Labour Candidate Blog Online

Labour Candidate for Folkestone and Hythe Donald Worsley has started a blog.

This is the first started by the Labour candidate. His Conservative and Liberal Democrat opponents both have active webpages.

Recently the Herald's gossip column reported that Mr Worsley missed the chance to attend a debate as he was too difficult to track down.

'Twit'ter

Perhaps tweeting after a few beers is not a good idea. Therefore this will be my last post for this evening - thanks Wetherspoon's Wifi!

Good to see the spirit of decency permeates the electronic ether.

Mum’s Probably Not Gone To Iceland (or anywhere else).

The dust cloud from the Eyjafjallajoekull volcano in Iceland has resulted in ‘travel chaos’ at Dover. With all flights grounded, Dover port and rail services have seen a huge increase in passenger numbers.

Extra staff have been drafted in at Dover Priory station to cope with the increased demand.

A member of staff said; ‘It was chaos in the morning. Normally I’m on the trains but have been posted here to help. The ticket office was snowed under. We’ve had people from all over Europe travelling through. Things aren’t so bad now.’

Taxis were doing a brisk trade carrying passengers to the ferry port, with a steady stream opting to walk to the docks.

The P&O website has been replaced with a single page due to heavy internet traffic as people look for alternatives to cancelled flights. P&O’s helpline is 08716 645 645 (Calls cost 10 pence per minute from a BT landline. Calls from other networks and mobiles may cost more)

A message warns travellers; ‘Dover-Calais - If you are planning on travelling as a foot passenger in the next 24 hours we have no space available. For bookings after this period, please call the contact centre for latest availability.

The Eurostar site also warns; ‘We would ask that you only come to our stations if you hold a confirmed reservation for travel'.

Latest reports from the BBC are that some air traffic restrictions may be lifted tomorrow morning, though it may take several days for the backlog of travellers to be cleared.

More on 'Monk'eying Around In Conservative Cabinet

Coming back from holiday, FUTS was delighted to see that the Herald had added info on Cllr Monk’s ‘ousting’ as deputy leader of the council - juicy stuff!

According to the Herald article, Cllr Phillip Martin - with Cllr Monk’s full knowledge - contacted ‘around half’ the Conservative councillors to sound out support for a possible takeover bid by Cllr Monk against council leader Robert Bliss, but found none.

Council Leader Robert Bliss was told of the attempt, and surprised everyone by coolly replacing deputy leader Cllr Monk with Cllr Rory Love at the Council AGM.

Cllr Monk retains his finance portfolio as Cllr Bliss ‘likes to keep his enemies close.’

In response to questions over the unity of the group, Chairman Russell Tillson denied any problems; ‘As Cllr. Bliss's political adviser, I know of no political enemies in our ranks. I would speak frankly and sharply to any I came across! Indeed, Robert is revered throughout the Group for the masterly way in which he has led it over several years.

‘Certainly Cllr. Monk was not involved in organising any coup.

‘Indeed, he is currently campaigning on almost a daily basis with David Monk to secure the election of Damian Collins.’

Cllr Monk was not present at the official launch of Conservative Candidate Damian Collins’ campaign, although Cllr Tillson explained that Cllr Monk had longstanding commitments and was away in London.

A well placed Conservative source confirmed to FUTS there was an attempt to garner support for a leadership bid as per the Herald account, and even inferred this had happened before.

‘Cllr Martin phoned around, suggesting we need someone more forceful leading the group. I like David [Monk], but I’m not sure he has the skills to unite the group. Robert Bliss has a much softer style that unites, though he can be tough when he wants to be,’ the source said.

‘It was a shame as they are good friends. I’m not sure how Robert will take it, though they were together on the Saturday after the AGM and the story, and getting along fine. David’s replacing came as a total shock to everyone, but he took it well and congratulated Rory afterwards.’

All will have breathed a sigh of relief as the Herald described the attempt as a ‘bloodless coup’, as opposed to Cllr Monk storming the council chamber, machine gunning half the cabinet and imposing martial law across the district.