"This Thursday's vote is being held in a uniquely febrile climate. It should be about Europe; it will be about the expenses scandal. On both counts, it is a moment to reward the principled consistency of the Liberal Democrats." by Editorial in The Observer - 31 May
The Big Questions, BBC1's topical and ethical debate show, is now well into its second series. They will be broadcasting live from Tonbridge on the morning of Sunday, June 7th and they would like to invite you to be part of the audience.
These days there are many issues that cannot be tackled just by taking action at home. Making a difference on climate change, international crime and the economy means that we have to work with our European neighbours to deliver effective international action.
A Shepway Conservative says he is disgusted with the local Conservatives and has resigned his Romney Marsh seat on Shepway District Council. A by-election will be held on the 4th of June to coincide with the County and European elections.
Kent Trading Standards has received of a number of complaints relating to unsolicited emails offering consumers the chance to make additional income by having money transferred into their account which they then forward to another account after taking a cut themselves. This then allows the scammer to access the consumer's bank account, which can result in the loss of large amounts of money.
Local Lib Dem Gary Fuller has written to South Kent College Governor and District & Town Councillor George Bunting calling on him to intercede with the College's management to prevent the casualisation of its highly dedicated Learning Support Assistants (LSA) workforce.
All Gurkha veterans who retired before 1997 with at least four years' service will be allowed to settle in the UK, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has said. Under the measures, Gurkhas will be allowed to settle in the UK with their spouses and dependent children under 18.
Gurkha Justice Campaigners Joanna Lumley, Peter Carroll and Martin Howe have met Prime Minister Gordon Brown this morning prior to a midday announcement by the Home Secretary on a new Government policy on Gurkha settlement rights. The team described the meeting as "superb".
At Prime Ministers Questions in the House of Commons on Wednesday lunchtime, Prime Minister Gordon Brown promised a statement on a new policy on Gurkha settlement rights by the Home Secretary on Thursday 21st May.
At Shepway's Annual Council meeting on 13th May, Shepway Conservatives passed an amendment to its Council Constitution removing the right for the opposition to chair a Council Scrutiny Committee in direct breach of its own constitution.
The Liberal Democrats have slammed news that Conservative Linda Oliver was a Councillor at her new home near Bath for over 6 months while continuing to sit as a Shepway District and Hythe Town Councillor for Hythe West. Liberal Democrat campaigner Neil Matthews has called the news "beyond a joke" and has called on the Conservatives to apologise for not telling local residents and refusing to force Councillor Oliver to resign as a Shepway Councillor for 18 months after she left the area.
I am writing to ask for an investigation into the actions of Shepway Council, which last night knowingly breached its own constitution. The Monitoring Officer Jeremy Chambers and Chief Executive Alistair Stewart both accepted that an amendment to the constitution which was proposed (by the Leader of the Council) and passed was in breach of the procedures of the Constitution, but asserted that Council had the right to do so. I do not agree.
