On Kent County Council. But On YOUR Side.

As you may know, in a few weeks on May 2^nd there will be elections to Kent County Council. I've been honoured to serve as your Liberal Democrat County Councillor for the last four years. It really doesn't seem that long!

I remember how close the result was in Folkestone West in 2009. We overturned a Conservative majority of over 1,300 votes to take the seat with a majority of 11. Four years on, we are fighting to win again.

This election will again be a straight fight between me and the Conservative Leader of Shepway District Council Robert Bliss. Other parties were well behind then, and are expected to be again. Labour came fifth in 2009. They've so given up on Folkestone West this time that their candidate is even living in Dover!

Every vote will count. If you want to elect a Councillor to stand up for Folkestone West and speak up against crazy Conservative plans, then I'm the only candidate who can beat the Conservatives.

Local residents have told me they appreciate that I trust local people and involve them in grant decisions through my regular "You Decide" days. Last year alone, local residents decided which projects THEY wanted to see backed with £25,000 of County Council funding. It's a scheme that I'm determined to build on. No Conservative County Councillor in Shepway does the same. It shows a big difference between the Lib Dems and Conservatives locally. We want local people involved in decisions. The Conservatives want to decide how to spend YOUR money.

I've taken a stand against the expenses culture that we've seen from some politicians. County Councillors are paid an allowance, but then most of them claim expenses on top of that for travel, parking, etc... From 2009-12, between them Shepway's Conservative County Councillors claimed over £26,000 in expenses on top of their allowances. That's YOUR money. I've claimed nothing. Not one penny. Four years - no expenses.

I think that Councillor's Allowances should cover the cost of getting to County Hall and doing the job. My partner works at Aldi in Hythe. She has to pay for her travel from her wages. Why should a Councillor be any different?

And I've fought for Folkestone West. As an example, the Conservative County Council recently brought up plans to turn off streetlights on roads across Kent. I'm all for saving power and money, but some of the proposals in Folkestone West were CRAZY. Main, busy roads should be lit at all times. I fought for this area and got turn-off plans for the A259 Sandgate Hill and Sandgate Esplanade stopped. I'm still fighting proposals to turn off lights by the staff entrance to Eurotunnel on the A20 in Cheriton. I'll always fight for local people and local services.

I've been proud to represent Folkestone West Division where I live and work. With your support, we can win here again. That would send a CLEAR message to the Conservatives who are hurting Folkestone so badly.

One simple way to help my campaign would be to display a poster. It really helps to show the support across Folkestone West. Putting one up in your window would be a massive help.

Email me with your address and I'll drop a poster to you, or you can download a poster to print at home here (it looks best printed A3 in full colour, and put in the window as a diamond, rather than square). If you have friends or neighbours that would also display a poster locally (and would prefer it dropped to them) then please let me know: I'd be delighted to send them a poster too!

Tim Prater

PS. Please send a clear message on May 2^nd that Folkestone West wants a local Liberal Democrat Councillor to stand up to the Conservatives. Thank you. If you have any questions, please do get in touch.