Britain only invaded Iraq because MPs voted for it. Asked on 18th March 2003 to support Tony Blair's motion for military action against Iraq, Labour and Conservative MPs lined up to vote "aye". Both the Conservative and Labour front benches in the House of Commons, including Folkestone and Hythe MP Michael Howard, supported the war. The Conservatives even argued that the Government wasn't being tough enough.
The Lib Dems are available on Facebook with a new page where you can sign up as a fan of the Liberal Democrats - click on www.facebook.com/pages/Liberal-Democrats/5883973269 to do so.
Lord Lee of Trafford has introduced the "Immigration (Discharged Gurkhas) Bill 2008" into the House of Lords where it received its first reading on the 18th March. Full details of the bill in support of the Gurkha Justice campaign can be found at www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200708/ldbills/043/08043.1-i.html
A documentary featuring the Gurkha Justice campaign and including recording taken in Folkestone and Cheriton and talking to a number of local residents will be shown for the first time this week. FOCUS: A Friend in Need will air on Friday 21st March at 20:00 on ITV1 Meridian.
Folkestone harbour will be treated to "3rd Floor 318" this Easter - a massive projection by Ruth A Parkinson onto the front of the Grand Burstin Hotel overlooking the harbour. The projection, supported a grant from Folkestone Town Council amongst others, will take place from Thursday 20th - Monday 23rd March between 7pm - 9pm, and is free to see.
Southeastern have announced that due to engineering works, train services between Ashford International and Dover Priory will be replaced by buses calling at all stations (including Sandling, Folkestone West and Folkestone Central) in both directions on Sunday 23rd and Monday 24th March.
On Wednesday 19th March, approximately 2,000 retired Gurkhas met outside the Houses of Parliament, along with several members of Shepway Liberal Democrats, to protest at the way they are treated differently to any other retired soldier in the British Army.
The Government narrowly avoided an embarrassing defeat in the Commons last night of their plans to close 2,500 post offices. Labour's majority was reduced to just 20, with Lib Dems and Tories voting together, but Folkestone & Hythe MP Michael Howard and Conservative Party Leader David Cameron both FAILED to vote for the Conservative placed motion!
Liberal Democrat Leader, Nick Clegg today received medals handed to him from Gurkhas who served in the British Army before 1997 and are being denied a full pension and the right to British Citizenship.
Former Gurkha soldiers and their supporters from across the Country have been welcomed to Westminster today by Lib Dem Leader Nick Clegg. The Liberal Democrat leader pledged the Party's support to the Gurkha campaign for the right to settle in the UK for all Gurkha soldiers including those who retired before 1997.
On Wednesday 19th March, Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg will be speaking at the protest outside Parliament demanding increased rights for Gurkhas. Shepway Lib Dems are supporting the Gurkhas protest, with local members Dhan Gurung, Peter Carroll, Neil Matthews, Darren Briddock, Tim Prater and others planning on joining the protest in Parliament Square.
Kent Trading Standards have received information that a person is offering to buy jewellery and antique furniture from householders in Lydd. The person has posted leaflets in the area which express an interest in purchasing such items.
