Charlie Elphicke

Moving to a new home . . . www.elphicke.com

2009-01-18T10:02:00.003Z

It's been great fun writing this blog and messing around with the internet. So much fun that I thought I'd set up a proper website! So this blog - and everything else - is moving to www.elphicke.com. This is the last entry I will make here. Everything here can be found in the "local news" section of www.elphicke.com. There's a lot more there besides.

My email address is now charlie@elphicke.com. Any emails sent to charlieelphicke@googlemail.com will still get to me.

I'd really like to know what people think of my new website. Any ideas and feedback on how to improve things will be greatly welcomed.

Charlie

Happy New Year!

2009-01-06T11:05:00.004Z

I hope everyone had a great Christmas break, enjoyed a time a cheer, mince pies and (not too!) excessive food and drink. We knew we needed to enjoy it while we could as 2009 will not be the easiest of years.

I spent Christmas with my family. I decorated the tree with my daughter Charlotte. Little Thomas tried and help out, but as he’s only two, he could only do the lower branches! We were really lucky that my mother joined us . . . my wife Natalie and I got a chance to switch off and relax a bit.

We all know that this year is not going to be the greatest. Yet we know we’ll get through it and there will be a better tomorrow. We’ve been here before and we’ve lived to tell the tale. I am passionate about getting the best long term future for our community in Dover & Deal. Getting more high quality businesses to move to our area is really important for jobs and opportunity. Uniting Dover properly with the sea and sorting out the attractiveness of the town and sea front will make a serious difference. Taking the lorries out of Townwall Street will aid the effective regeneration of Dover. Upgrading the A2 and the delivery of a proper hospital are things we’d all dearly love to see. Realising this better future for us all is my greatest ambition.

Too many local shops are closing

2008-12-13T20:25:00.005Z

I went to Woolworths in Deal today with the kids to do some Christmas shopping. Now while we all love a bargain, spare a thought for the people who work there. While at the checkout, I spoke to the till assistant about what was going to happen. He told me how concerned he was as this is not to time to be looking for work.

Then I went to Martins newsagent to pick up a paper and some coffee. I was expresing concern about Woolworths and they told me they are closing down as well. Right after Christmas. These two excellent shops are closing - right on top of a number of other shops being lost in Deal. The story's the same in Dover as well.

It's really important we do all we can to protect our high streets and the jobs they bring. As we know, many others are facing similar challenges. So I will be speaking to Brian Binley MP for Northampton South who chaired a commission into saving our town centres to seek his advice on how other areas are rising to the challenge to see what we can learn.

Family feast at The Ark

2008-12-13T18:20:00.001Z

At the Ark Christian Centre in Noahs Ark Road, Tower Hamlets Family Feast provides meals for families to get together, meet, play and eat. Today I joined the Christmas Celebration meal with the family. It was really packed - there must have been about 150 people there.

Family Feast is run entirely by volunteers who passionately believe that the simple act of sitting down to share a healthy low cost meal together can help to strengthen a family. They provide a meal every month to local families and also provide an opportunity for families to play together. It was excellent and I had a good chat with parents and the organisers.

Thomas and I are pictured with James Smith and his son Zachary. James and his wife Emily help organise these fantastic monthly get togethers.

Dover Mayor's Annual Ball

2008-12-12T22:22:00.003Z

A highlight of Dover's social calender is the Dover Annual Ball. This year it was just excellent and everyone had great fun. I even tried waltzing . . . and I admit with mixed results. Memo to self: spend more time watching Strictly!

Now, I know we're all meant to throw rocks at each other and that Dover Town Council is under Labour control and all that - but I have to say Diane Smallwood is a great mayor and wonderful fun! I'm pictured with Buckland Labour councillors Jan Tranter and Mike Smith. Mike and his charming wife Anne (also a Buckland councillor) were super company on our table and we had . . . well . . . a ball.

Very many thanks to the fantastic Doverforum team who have allowed me to use this photo. Their report of the event is much better than mine and worth a read.

Getting into the festive mood . . .

2008-12-06T16:16:00.000Z

It's that time of year again! This morning I went to a great mulled wine party in Dover. As you can see, we had a real laugh getting into the December party spirit (for me, I must confess, this was initially a bit of struggle, after very hearty Men of Kent dinner in Deal last night!).

A number of people talked to me about their concerns for Dover's economy. Unemployment locally has risen more quickly than in the rest of the country, which is clearly a serious cause for concern. It underlines to me that importance of strengthening our local economy for the long term, with more higher skilled jobs and greater prosperity that will make us all better off.

However, we didn't let these worries hold us back from having a good time . . . December and Chistmas is a time to relax and enjoy life a bit, after all. And goodness knows, we need to in order to prepare ourselves for the harder times ahead.

Celebrating our excellent schools

2008-12-05T19:58:00.005Z

Today I visited Dover's Astor College for the Arts and Walmer Science College with Michael Gove MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Children.

It was a great chance to show off the incredible job Kent County Council and our schools have done in forging such a strong partnership. We saw what a success the Astor Federation is and what a amazing job it does in equipping Dover's children for the future. Michael and I are pictured with above with pupils from Astor - the Federation head Chris Russell is on the right.

We also met Sue Knight Fotheringham, head of White Cliffs Primary. Sue has turned White Cliffs from the worst performing primary school in the country to an OFSTED outstanding rated school. Hats off folks! Just think of the different lives the kids attending White Cliffs will be able to lead with such a culture of success in their school. It's such a fine thing to see and makes us all so proud.

We then went on to Walmer Science College and heard about their plans for the future. Like Astor, they are taking a deep interest in vocational and skills based education. Michael and I are pictured with a group of teachers we saw who were meeting to talk through a skills based teaching programme. We were really impressed.

Speaking at Kent University, Canterbury

2008-12-04T22:23:00.003Z

This evening I spoke to students at the University of Kent at Canterbury. There was much concern about the economy and how hard it is to get a job in the current market.

The students believe that the Government's economic incompetence has practically bankrupted the country - they are, of course, right about this. The arrest of Damien Green MP was viewed with serious concern. The students told me they did not want to live in a Police state.

It was a really interesting evening and I greatly valued the chance to hear what younger people think about things and the sort of future they want to see built for themselves and our country.

River church bazaar

2008-11-29T21:08:00.006Z

Today I went to a Church Bazaar in River with local district councillor Sue Nicholas. It was a hoot - as you'll see from the video! We played an odd game that involved dropping a (toy!) mouse down a tube for Sue Nicholas to hit. It didn't go entirely to plan . . .

In the photo, I'm holding an egg slice, which I was really pleased to find - you can never find egg slices these days, can you? I then went on to do a good deal of my Christmas shopping, buying up half the bazaar in the process.

Sue and I also enjoyed lunch there - people kept coming up to ask if I was about to be arrested by the Government for daring to be a Conservative. There seems to be a real sense of anger over the Damian Green business. I think it offends against the British sense of "fair play".

It was a really super day out. Congratulations to everyone who helped make it such a great success - especially Church Warden Hurling and his charming wife Gaynor who Sue and I are pictured with. Gaynor definitely wins the great wig competition.

The importance of Border Security

2008-11-28T09:51:00.004Z

People in Dover tell me time and again about their overriding concern for the safety and security of our borders and the security of our nation. So it is of immense comfort to us all to know that Damian Green MP, possibly about to go on a political show trial, stands with us in wanting to keep our country safe.

Living in the Gateway to England, Dover people know first hand how the Government has totally failed to keep our borders secure. We know all about the disgusting human trafficking that goes on, the bogus asylum seekers and the evil crime syndicates that smuggle people in who have no right to be here. My mailbag is filled with disgust and concern about the situation. We know all too well that the Government does nothing about it and has lost control of our borders.

Many are concerned about the Government's Stalinesque behaviour and the attempt at a coverup. Yet let's not forget what Damian is really in the dock for. Let's not forget his work fighting tirelessly to hold the Government to account for its disgraceful failure to keep our nation and its borders safe. And let's remember why it matters so much to us all:

577,000 people came to Britain in 2007 - and net migration was 237,000
The population has risen 1.8 million since 1997 thanks to immigration alone
There were 25,800 asylum applications in the 12 months to September 2008, a rise of 15% on the year before
To cope with all this, some 65,000 new homes are needed each year, meaning even more concrete and congestion along with increasing pressure on our public services

And while they fail to stop people coming to Britain that have no right to be here, we know that locally they arrest illegal entrants who try to leave the country. At the Dover Removal Centre, they give bail to people who are being held . . . people who then, surprise, surprise, vanish and are never seen again. Meanwhile France has stopped us using anti people smuggling scanners at Calais . . . without a squeak of protest from the Government.

This is why Damian's work has been so important. It's time for a renewed focus on border security, the safety and security of our nation and all the terrible figures the Government is so desperate to hide.

Making the case for our local economy

2008-11-25T22:21:00.002Z

This evening, I attended the Enterprise Forum where David Cameron gave an excellent speech setting out how the current Government has basically bankrupted our country and why it's time for change.

Afterwards, I spoke to David about the need to strengthen East Kent's economy. We have so much potential in Dover & Deal - the biggest port in Western Europe, great roads, an airport down the road and some of the most heartbreakingly beautiful countryside that Britain has to offer.

Shouldn't we be doing better than we are? I think so. Realising the potential of Manston, getting the A2 dualled, regenerating the Dover harbour front and uniting Dover with the actual sea, rather than the current sea of lorries would make such a difference. We need to get more businesses to set up locally. I'd be really interested to hear your views on what more we can do to get our fair share - please feel free to comment or email me at charlieelphicke@googlemail.com

PS Tie afficionados please note . . . this evening I was wearing a tie, and so was David!

The Godfather . . .

2008-11-23T18:27:00.002Z

Today I became a godfather. The baby sort - not the other sort! To baby Teddy, pictured with the other godparents.

It was a really moving christening service and I feel really privileged to have been entrusted in this way by Teddy's parents Liam and Vicki.

Coffee at Roger's place

2008-11-22T19:09:00.001Z

Cllr Roger Walkden kindly hosted a coffee morning for anyone in Dover's Maxton, Elms Vale and Priory area to drop in. The turnout was amazing - we couldn't squeeze everyone into a photo, but as you can see we had a really good go!

What did people talk about? There was a lot of concern about the trouble at the port. People are really worried about local jobs and increasingly concerned that the current Member of Parliament has seriously mishandled the whole business. Especially as the retirement pensions of port workers are at risk. A couple of residents were concerned that dog mess bins are not emptied, which the councillors are looking into. Also raised was the safety of parking in some of Dover's roads.

There was also a lot of amusement about the national press coverage on the fake Status Quo singer getting a ride in the Dover Mayor's limo. The town councillors present did get a bit of a ribbing . . .

Thanks so much to Roger and his lovely wife Jean for making us all feel so at home.

Meeting Deal ATC

2008-11-21T18:51:00.004Z

This evening I went to see the Deal ATC. Their band is one of the legends of Deal Carnival. And when I went to see them, they were hard at work practising. As you can see, I had a lot of fun joining in the drum practice.

So roll up young people of Deal! Not only do you get to play the carnival, you also get to go on outward bound adventuring and learn to fly. Not only that, but you also get to gain all sorts of qualifications that will be useful when it comes to getting a job - and goodness knows, you need the best edge you can get when it comes to finding a job in these difficult times . . .

A big thanks to all the officers, staff and cadets who made me so welcome and congratulations on running such a great ATC.

Marching with the port workers

2008-11-15T16:54:00.007Z

Today I joined the port workers on their march protesting against them being outsourced. In these difficult times, we are all united in supporting the jobs and prosperity of the people of Dover. I do not agree with this outsourcing, or the privatisation of the port of Dover for the reasons I have previously set out. I have met directors of DHB and told them that clearly and unequivocally.

In this spirit of us all getting together cross party, it was a bit disappointing that Dover Labour tried to politicise the whole thing. I had to laugh though when Gwynfor Prosser MP started haranging me with the usual boring partisan rubbish that is so often heard from politicians when they are nervous. As they stood there behind a big fat Labour Party banner, I pointed out that I was not there to politicise the event. I was there to offer bipartisan support for the people whose jobs are threatened. That there are times when we should all join together and stand firm with the community and put party politics to one side. That this was one of them. That they should think about that.

Then again, I can see why they are running scared, as it does look like the Government has been consulted and not made any objection to this whole outsourcing thing. And they could, you know, since they do appoint the entire harbour board. So it's kind of hard for Dover Labour to explain why a Labour Government should allow this to happen without any objection isn't it? Hmm, time to find a scapegoat to distract attention eh brothers? Step forward Bob Goldfield . . . freshly minted distractive Labour bogey man!

At times like this, it's important to remember why we are all involved in public life. For me, that is to serve the community, to work to get the best for people and to deliver a fair share for Dover & Deal. That's why I was there. Many port workers came up, shook my hand and told me how pleased they were I was there for them. And you know what? I was proud to be there for them.

Strike expected at Port of Dover next Tuesday

2008-11-12T14:57:00.005Z

There will be a 48 hour strike at the Port of Dover next Tuesday. We're not talking about any old port here - we're talking about the busiest docks in Western Europe. Given that so much of trade travels through Dover, this strike could not come at a worse time for our nation.

The reason? The Dover Harbour Board want to outsource, or privatise, 200 jobs. And it is the thin end of the wedge. The Government appear to have been consulted on this and agreed. While privatisation may have benefits in many cases, in transport matters it clearly works less well - just look at our airports!

I do not agree with the privatisation of Dover Docks, on national security grounds (along with data protection concerns). Border security, like the army, is just too important. I think the Government should intervene urgently to sort out an unncessary mess of its own making. What were the Government thinking approving this measure?!

We shall remember them

2008-11-09T16:33:00.001Z

Today's Remembrance Day service at Deal was a very moving experience. Veterans, parents and children all gathered to remember those who gave their todays for our tomorrows.

It was a particular privilege for me to lay my wreath with Cllr Ben Bano, leader of Dover District Council's Labour Group. For on this day we put aside that which may divide us and stand united, together, to remember the fallen. We are all in it together. And they did it for all of us.

I would like to congratulate everyone who helped organise today's ceremony. They did a fantastic job.

Does no-one want to be a Lib Dem any more?

2008-11-07T14:52:00.011Z

Will the Lib Dems ever get round to selecting a Parliamentary candidate? For ages now, the sitting Labour MP for Dover & Deal and I have been setting out our stalls . . . but from the Lib Dems, hardly a peep. I raise it, as people are beginning to ask if they've given up altogether. They are certainly cutting it a bit fine, as there is talk of a General Election as early as next year.

What exactly is going on with Dover & Deal's Lib Dems? Have they have just lost their way locally or does no-one want to be their candidate? Last time, their candidate was the excellent Antony Hook, whose blog I highly recommend. Antony likes to take a pop at me (who says politics isn't fun any more?!), albeit a touch bitter at times (but then they did get thumped in the by election, so it's all quite understandable).

So who will stand for the Lib Dems . . . ?

Servant of all I survey

2008-11-06T14:20:00.001Z

It's amazing how much you find out simply by listening to what people have to say. And it helps me greatly in my work to understand what people would hope to see. After all, if you don't know what people want, how can you work effectively on their behalf? So I am asking every voter in Dover & Deal what they think in a constituency suvey.

This isn't simply a homespun homily. Abraham Lincoln said in the famous "Gettysburg Address":

"Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth"

I also take this as a reminder that the job of everyone in public life is to listen, to serve and, above all, to represent. Too often politicians seem but slavish party toadies - lobby fodder who say little in Parliament and vote as they are told without much thought for the people who elected them. The worst tell their constituents one thing and then go up to Parliament and vote in the opposite direction. No wonder public trust in politicians is so low when this sort of stuff goes on.

No-one should be arrogant enough to believe they will do a perfect job or change the World - although we might hope to get lucky! Yet my hope is that I will never get tired or forget the interests of the people whose trust I would hope to serve.

Coffee at Nigel's place

2008-11-01T16:24:00.000Z

Cllr Nigel Collor kindly hosted a ward coffee morning, open for any resident of Dover's Castle Ward to drop in. It was great to meet people and have a chat over a cup of coffee. The excellent Doverforum reporters came an took the photo here and posted it on their website.

What issues came up? Residents in the Gateway Flats are concerned about the proposal for a cable car up to the Castle. They told me it would go right over the flats and would be very ugly - as well as a potential safety hazard. One gentleman was understandably worried about planning permission that had been granted for a house next door that would take away all his light.

On a lighter note, I was also asked why I don't wear a tie very often . . . at this point a picture of (a tieless!) David Cameron was waved disapprovingly in my direction. What can I say? I guess I'm just not a very buttoned up kind of guy!

Pictured: Cllr Roger Frayne, Cllr David Hannent, Thomas Mitchell, Cllr Roger Walkden, Barry Wadsworth-Smith of the Doverforum, Cllr Nigel Collor, and me . . . tieless!

Mandie's brilliant result in St Radigunds

2008-10-31T16:00:00.001Z

Many congratulations to Conservative candidate Mandie Sehmbi who came within 25 votes of capturing the St Radigunds ward council seat in a by election.

Labour just clung on to the seat in an area traditionally solid for them. Mandie was, until recently, the organiser of Dover's Carnival.

Full credit to the Lib Dems who, though they may struggle to find anyone prepared to stand as their Parliamentary candidate, did work very hard to gain a greater share of the vote. It was understandable that they should feel a little bitter at getting just 12% of the vote after giving it such a good go.

The full results were:

Viv Revell (Labour) 244

Mandie Sehmbi (Conservative) 219

Lib Dems 93

Dover Alliance 86

Independent 72

Independent 32

On the campaign trail in St Radigunds

2008-10-23T17:17:00.001+01:00

By elections are great fun. A chance to meet people on the doorstep and talk about issues of concern. The biggest issue raised with me by voters in this traditionally strongly Labour supporting area is the shocking treatment of Buckland Hospital.

To say people are disgusted would be an understatement. They tell me how the sitting Labour MP made it a big issue that he'd save the hospital back in 1997. Yet now its closing, to be replaced by a polyclinic. People are upset and tell me they just don't feel he's really fought very hard for Dover. They say he's more interested in following the party whip than speaking up for our interest.

There's a lesson here I won't forget. You have to fight for hopes and aspirations of the people you represent.

Mandie Sehmbi for St Radigunds!

2008-10-15T08:49:00.000+01:00

Well known local campaigner Mandie Sehmbi is the Conservative candidate for the St Radigund’s by election. I have long been struck by how passionate Mandie is about Dover. She tells me she is incredibly angry about Labour palming off Dover with a polyclinic - she wants to be Dover have a proper hospital. Until recently, Mandie organised the Dover carnival. The most recent one being a total success.

Mandie is also angry that Labour Ministers have allowed port jobs to be privatised. She says it's an insult to Dover. Mandie thinks the lack of investment in Dover is an insult. That we deserve our fair share and we aren't getting it.

Some people say no-one in politics believes in anything anymore . . . to them I say Mandie is your answer!

Go Whites!

2008-10-13T17:52:00.001+01:00

Dover Athletic's performance against AFC Wimbledon was brilliant! The game ended nil all and will be replayed on Tuesday.

Wimbledon is way higher in the league than the Whites. Yet Dover had the upper hand throughout the game. What a performance! And all before a capacity crowd too. It all goes to show how the club is going from strength to strength. Congratulations to the team.

In the photo I'm with club director and leading local businessman Roger Knight

Time for change at Dover Town Council

2008-09-26T08:55:00.001+01:00

For years, Dover Town Council has been a virtual one party state. Labour have been in power there so long, the hunger for new ideas and innovation is weaker than Dover deserves. It's time for a change.

This year, the Council Tax has gone up by 29.6%, with further increases planned for next year. And a lot of the money is wasted. £1000s are being spent on leaflets which are never delivered. £11,500 was wasted on producing fridge magnets.

Not so long ago, I proposed that Dover twin with the town of Fuzhou in China. I worked hard to deliver the opportunity . . . yet it was rejected out of hand. That's a shame as twinning with a great city and province of some 7 million people from the fastest growth country on the planet could have brought jobs, money and investment to our community.

To me this highlights all that's wrong with the council - insular, backward and inward looking. In these difficult times, all of us in public service need to work harder than ever to deliver the hopes, aspirations and dreams of the people we work for. There is just not enough money in Dover and our community deserves its fair share.

There will shortly be a council by election in the traditional Labour heartland of St Radigunds. The record of the council will come under scrutiny. The Conservatives will stand as it's time the people of Dover had a real choice.

No port privatisation!

2008-09-23T22:26:00.002+01:00

I attended Dover's Port Consultative Committee the other day. There I said that the Port of Dover is a national asset and should remain so. The need for National Security and Border Security are overwhelming that the Port should remain an asset of the nation.

So I totally oppose the privatisation of the Port for these reasons. I am deeply unhappy about the recent changes at the Port which amount to privatisation. I am deeply concerned that the Ministry of Transport were not only consulted about the changes, but appear to have approved them.

The Ports Minister, who turned up the other day, and the current Member of Parliament should clarify exactly what the Ministry's role in this was a matter of urgency. They also need to level with the community whether they will permit further privatisation or "outsourcing" of Port jobs.

I am worried about Government's future plans for the Port. The Western Docks development will require a lot of money. Possibly more money than the Port has available on its own. It may require a joint venture partner. If that happens, it is essential that the Dover Harbour Board retain management control of the joint venture. It would not be right for the Port to be under the control of European or Middle Eastern interests - again on grounds of National and Border Security.

These are my thoughts and I would be genuinely interested to hear what people think about the way ahead. The Port is Dover's largest employer by far and critical to our economy. It's therefore vital that we all work together to get the best result.

Building a Britain everyone can be part of

2008-09-02T19:23:00.001+01:00

The gap between rich and poor has been increasing. For me changing this and building a Britain that everyone can be part of is a key reason I got involved in public life.

Gordon Brown’s Government has taken people for granted and let them down. He doesn’t understand what it’s like to live on a low income when the cost of living is rising. That’s why he raised taxes for the least well-off when he cut them for the wealthier. His boasts about crime show how out of touch he is. Anti-social behaviour and alcohol fuelled crime are real problems for our area - and violent crime is a real worry. Just go out in Dover town centre on a Saturday evening . . .

David Cameron's Conservatives want to help the least well-off. That’s why we are putting forward ideas to heal our broken society and proposals to help needy pensioners. Locally, the Conservatives are spearheading the regeneration of Dover and Deal. The road upgrades we are proposing will also help to create more jobs. A few months ago, I began talks to build up links with the massive Chinese city of Fuzhou to get more investment locally - yet Dover Labour voted that down so they have gone elsewhere. What a waste and a terrible missed opportunity!

Nationally and locally Labour are just not helping us. We deserve better.

Crime fighters!

2008-08-22T19:24:00.000+01:00

Conservative-controlled Dover District Council has had great success in fighting crime in partnership with Kent Police. The Council’s Anti-social Behaviour Unit is working to crackdown on crime. A key priority is to provide more things for our young people to do. More things for younger people to do is a priority to help cut crime.

But they can't do it all on their own. They need the support of Central Government. So David Cameron and the Conservatives have launched a long-term Crime Action Plan. The key measures are:

Make families stronger - keeping families together so children have a stable upbringing

Support teachers to teach children the need for respect and bringing more good schools into deprived communities - for example, the Astor Federation has turned the failing St Radigunds School into the successful White Cliffs Primary

Help young people to come off welfare and into work - Work brings responsibility, dignity, money and respect - making people less likely to commit crime

A National Citizens Service - where all 16-year-olds can go on a six-week programme to develop the confidence and skills to contribute to society

Tough enforcement and prison sentences for young people caught carrying illegal knives, whilst also working to rehabilitate young offenders.

Tackling the North South divide

2008-08-14T12:00:00.003+01:00

Many will be horrified about PX's report on the Northern cities. I certainly am - the top line strikes me as defeatist and depressing. Yet I think they may have done the country a favour in (re) sparking a debate about the North South divide.

This divide is frankly one of the worst features of our country. I've often heard it said that the North has the quality of life, the South the quantity of life. In other words, the South has great wealth, but less time, community and increasingly less beauty as it subsides gently in a sea of concrete and congestion. The North has less material wealth, yet there seems a greater sense of community, more time for people and some of the most heartbreakingly beautiful countryside our nation has to offer.

Somehow it seems that every new home in the South (built in lovely places like Whitfield and Sholden) pulls the rug further from under the North and makes the South a worse place to live. The PX report seems to say we should accept this is the way it's going to be.

I've long wondered - how can we rebalance to unite the country so that all have the best of both worlds? Can we build a truly united nation? This is not about tarting up places with regeneration. This is about a great national effort to strengthen the Northern (private sector) economy - a whole skills revolution, the establishment of a renewed labour pool in the North, incentivisation for new businesses to establish in the North rather than the South. Just reading this, you can see how hard it would be to do. I feel deeply that a house divided against itself cannot stand and that we need to act to tackle the North South divide.

What change do the Conservatives offer locally?

2008-08-12T09:08:00.001+01:00

People often say to me "what would you do different from the current lot?"

To my mind, very little has been achieved in the last ten years for our community. It’s not good enough. Let’s look at the key issues:

A new Dover hospital - Labour have ruined Buckland. The Conservatives have helped to gather signatures for the hospital petition. We have been fighting alongside local health
campaigners for a new proper hospital with beds and 24/7 GP-led emergency services.

Crime and anti-social behaviour are worrying problems for our area. Violent crime has doubled in the UK in ten years. Nearly 2,000 people are victims for violent crime locally every year. We need more police on the beat preventing crime, with zero-tolerance and more facilities for our young people.

Rising living costs are hitting family budgets, with prices rising for food and the cost of motoring. Gordon Brown has been increasing taxes on the lowest paid, fuel duty has gone through the roof - and now they are raising the price of car tax discs too. Local wages have fallen over £1,000 in the last five years, meaning an even bigger squeeze here. People who work hard to earn their keep should be rewarded, not punished.

Post Office Closures have hit local people hard - particularly the elderly and those without transport. Gordon Brown’s closure of six local Post Offices leaves large areas without proper Post Office cover. More Post Offices are expected to be axed by Gordon Brown in due course.

Local Transport has seen terrible underinvestment. The A2 upgrade was axed by John Prescott. Gordon Brown has done nothing about making the A258 safer. We need to get lorries out of Dover and regeneration in.

I would like to hear about your ideas to further improve our community. It's time we got our fair share. Why shouldn't we enjoy the same level of success seen elsewhere in Kent?

Maggots in local hospitals . . .

2008-08-08T17:37:00.000+01:00

The case of a proper hospital in Dover was underlined to me again recently. Turns out that our local acute hospitals have problems with infestations of rats, insects, flies and maggots.

I'll tell you what really upsets me. It's the maggots. It means that flies have been around long enough to breed. To me this highlights a downside of big centralised impersonal acute hospitals. It underlines the need for Dover to have a proper hospital, which will be easier to keep safe and in which the community will take pride.

Dover has some world class businesses

2008-07-30T10:32:00.001+01:00

I went to see Dover’s Model Production company and London Fancy Box to see for myself what Dover's businesses do. The excellence we have locally and the great skills of our workforce are sometimes overlooked and it was great to see. We have some World class businesses locally and it makes me really proud.

The Model Production company makes complex plastic components for pumps, light fittings as well as many other applications. The things they do really are World Class. It’s really great to have a businesses of this quality in Dover. We need more high technology business like this that create value add jobs to really realise our potential and dreams as a community and a nation. Congratulations to the whole team at Model Production for building up such an exciting business.

In the photo, me with Kieran Jaynes of Model Production.

Dover Air Training Corps looking to grow

2008-07-25T10:28:00.001+01:00

Following its great success at the Dover carnival, 354 (Dover) Squadron of the Air Training Corps, motto "Venture Adventure" is looking to gain more recruits. So roll up, roll up!

The squadron formed part of a 50 piece band from across Kent which lead the recent Dover carnival. I went to visit the cadets with District Council cabinet member Cllr Nigel Collor. We went to see the officers and cadets to congratulate the squadron on its success and to hear about the squadron's plans for growth.

Turns out that the lads and lasses don't just play instruments - although they do that very well - they can also learn to fly and get a strong boost to their school eduction, leading to qualifications. It's clear to me that the ATC is really important to our community. The cadets learn the importance of teamwork and respect - things too often missing in our neighbourhoods. The cadets have great fun there and they are keen as mustard.

There are 23 cadets in total, who gain valuable education qualifications as well as having a lot of fun and learning to fly. I really hope more people will sign up and enjoy a broader horizon. They are lead by Flt Lt Nigel Harman, who's a great leader and a real inspiration. Great stuff!

Connaught Park anniversary - a great success

2008-07-23T18:54:00.000+01:00

The celebration of Connaught Park's 125th anniversary was a fantastic success and a great day out.

My whole family had great fun. Star, our dog, tried to do a runner . . . but we just about kept her in check! Congratulations to Cllr Sue Nicholas and everyone else involved for putting on a wonderful day. In the photo - me with Cllr Nigel Collor.

Eastry fete - a great day out!

2008-07-21T16:22:00.001+01:00

Eastry's village fete was a fantastic success and a great day out.

My whole family had great fun. I even managed to win a coconut! So a big congratulations to those organising the fete for putting on a wonderful day and thanks to George Mattheson for so generously hosting it at the Aumbury.

In the photo . . . me with Mrs Bradley and Eastry Cllr Nick Kenton. Mrs Bradley is the mother of an Iraq war hero.

New play area in Pencester

2008-07-19T12:41:00.002+01:00

I went to see the new play area at Pencester today. It's really great! Conservative led Dover District Council have done a smashing job and it was full of kids - including my daughter Charlotte, pictured.

I had a real struggle getting her out when we had to leave . . . !!

Shadow Health Secretary meets health campaigners & GPs

2008-07-14T13:28:00.001+01:00

Shadow Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley MP, came to Dover to meet our health campaigners and local GPs. He listened carefully to what everyone had to say.

The GPs explained they'd like to commission local beds and doctor led emergency services in Dover. Andrew Lansley said that he would support them in the event a Conservative Government is elected.

For me, this is a defining moment. Dover deserves its fair share, has a right to expect fair treatment and should have a hospital. Without the ear of Government little will be done - and let's face it, we haven't exactly had the ear of Government Ministers when it comes to getting things done locally in the last ten years have we? What Andrew's visit says to me, is that Dover will get the ear of a Conservative Government and there is hope that things can change.

MPs who fiddle expenses should be expelled

2008-07-04T09:59:00.002+01:00

The way Parliamentary expenses have been abused is a spectacle I find truly disgusting. So let me make my position on MPs' expenses very clear:

MPs WHO FIDDLE EXPENSES SHOULD BE EXPELLED FROM PARLIAMENT

The reason I raise this now is that MPs have just voted to keep the "John Lewis List". One of the MPs that voted for it was Dover & Deal Labour MP Gwynfor Prosser. And let me be really clear on my reaction. I condemn him for it totally, utterly and unreservedly. I'm not usually one to go swivel eyed about things - but this issue is an exception.

MPs - and Mr Prosser - had a real chance to restore trust in public life. Instead they stuck their snouts deeper in the trough. Shame on every MP that voted for it. It's a disgusting spectacle. Families are under real financial pressure. MPs should be thinking about how they can put more money in the pockets of the people, not line their own pockets.

More jobs and money for hard working families are my priorities - this is why I am involved in public life. For me, to serve is an honour and a vocation, not a living and a trough. Simple as that.

A proper hospital for Dover - update

2008-06-23T09:53:00.001+01:00

In the last ten years, Buckland Hospital has been systematically destroyed, to universal dismay. Mr Prosser, the Labour MP, told a public meeting that he supports a plan for a polyclinic in Buckland’s car park.

That would not be good enough. Dover deserves a proper hospital. While the ideal would have been to improve and invest in Buckland over the last ten (wasted) years, it’s not the best for a new facility. The access, location and future space to expand are not the best.

So I don't agree with Mr Prosser’s support for the Buckland polyclinic. Nor do I believe this would be the “temporary” solution Mr Prosser claims. Ten years of advising the Shadow Cabinet on the management of the public finances has given me the experience to understand how things work at the highest levels of Government. It has also taught me how often temporary becomes permanent . . . and that people are right to be cynical as good intentions without funding are good intentions and no more.

Thankfully, things have already moved on. Reg Hansell, David Hannent, Pauline Majors, Denise Smith and 20,000 signatures do make a difference. I support and salute their work. Discussions are ongoing for a better located site and the likely settlement looks set to be better than the original offer Mr Prosser is so keen on.

Yet I am pessimistic that these discussions will get us fully where we want to be. I am not convinced the Government will agree to care beds, or adequate emergency services. I have therefore been pressing those engaged in the discussions for a site where greater expansion will be possible in the future. So that if this Government fails us again, a new Government would have the scope to make the further improvements we would all hope to see.

The Government's crazy school closure plan

2008-06-16T18:12:00.002+01:00

Many parents will be terrified at the Government's plans to close schools. The threat is to close schools that fail to meet a benchmark of 30 per cent of pupils achieving at least five good GCSEs including English and maths.

Now, we all want better results, yet this policy is clearly barmy. Every school is unique and one size does not fit all. Locally, head teachers have been pointing out to me that the existence of grammar schools makes it a lot harder for non selective schools to achieve this benchmark. This is clearly true.

So I have taken this up with the Shadow Secretary of State for Schools, Michael Gove MP, who he tells me that he is acutely aware of the issue and believes account needs to be taken of special factors that affect schools.

In working the improve the quality of education, the Government should not go around stirring up fear. It's just not a way to treat teachers, parents or our kids. The education of our children is too important and a more thoughtful approach is required.

The photo is of me giving tickets for the Archery competition to the head of White Cliffs Primary School, with Chris Russell, Head of the Astor Fedferation. The White Cliffs School story is a lesson for us all - catchment areas may be tough, but it doesn't follow that schools in such areas have to be rubbish! Well done to them for bringing hope for a greater future to our children.

I think it's great that we have such a variety of schools - faith based, grammar, non selective, independent, city academies. I would like to see that variety further increased, with more schools that offer workplace skills based vocational education. All of us who are parents of school age children know that getting the right type of school with the right culture is a priority. A greater variety will make it easier for parents to achieve.

Petition for a proper hospital

2008-06-07T14:56:00.001+01:00

I strongly support Dover's fight for a proper hospital. The Labour Government wants to palm us off with a polyclinic - this is not good enough! There should be beds and doctor led emergency services. So we are circulating this leaflet to give everyone the chance to have a say and join the campaign!

Visit to Pfizer

2008-06-03T16:48:00.001+01:00

Together with my South Thanet colleague, Laura Sandys, I visited Pfizer with Shadow Chancellor George Osborne. It was amazing to see the work done at this World Class research centre. Above is how Pfizer reported the visit in their magazine.

I am really proud we have businesses like this in East Kent and will do all I can to see that they not only stay, but expand over time.

Rally for a hospital

2008-05-27T23:32:00.001+01:00

Some 1,500 came along for the hospital rally and march on Saturday.

Afterwards, I joined Cllr David Hannent at Blakes to help raise funds for the Dover hospital campaign. We pulled pints behind the bar. Blakes kindly donated all profits from the event to the hospital campaign fund.

It was great fun to help raise funds for the hospital campaign. Blakes have been incredibly generous in their support. Cllr Hannent deserves the congratulations of the whole community for the great work he did with Reg Hansell to organise the most amazing and successful march I've ever seen.

Marching for a hospital

2008-05-24T17:07:00.002+01:00

Over the last ten years, Buckland Hospital has been ruined by the Government. It's now got to the point where it isn't really a hospital at all - not beds, no doctor led emergency services.

Today I joined the march of some 1,500 people calling for Dover to have a proper hospital. Reg Hansell and the Dover Hospital campaign group organised it. I spoke of the need for Dover to have its fair share and a proper hospital was part of that.

In the picture, Reg is in the foreground as I have a few words with the charming and engaging C Cllr Newman, who represents Dover Town at KCC.

World Hepatitis C Day marked

2008-05-20T23:23:00.000+01:00

World Hepatitis C Day was 19 May 2008. I joined Dover Hepatitis C campaigner Tracy de Gietelink to mark the day.

Few infected people know they have the condition. Tracy, who herself has Hepatitis C, runs the "Woman Aloud" The C in Me workshop to bring attention to Hepatitis C and how carriers can avoid infecting others.

Tracy told me that this condition is the leading cause of liver disease worldwide. Yet Hepatitis C has a 'zero' profile amongst the general population in this country.

Hepatitis C is most commonly associated with drug users, and the prison population, so measures are already in place in these areas, to educate and identify carriers of the virus. The workshop seeks to reach the people, especially women, (there's been a 40% increase in ladies over the age of 60, diagnosed with Hepatitis C, in the last year) who have had either medical or dental procedures, before 1991, (when proper Hep C screening of blood donations began). They might have unknowingly received contaminated blood products.

Another group that need flagging up are the growing amount of people of all ages having body art and piercings. As Hepatitis C shows no symptoms, until the end, who knows who sat in that chair before them? It could have been anyone. Tracey was diagnosed with Hepatitis C in 1991… after having given blood on 3 prior occasions.

I was really impressed by Tracy. She is doing fantastic work - not for herself, but to warn others to take care. That's real compassion. I admire Tracy so much for her work. She highlighted to me the importance for routine medical testing for Hepatitis C.

Go Whites!

2008-05-07T23:21:00.001+01:00

Congratulations to Dover Athletic on becoming Ryman League Division One South champions.

Winning the league was a tremendous feat and a great success for the club and our community. I was personally overjoyed to see the team lift the cup recently following the Sittingbourne game and take it for a well deserved walk around the pitch! The team deserve the highest praise for their great effort and the brilliant result.

Yet congratulations are also due to everyone at the club who helped achieve victory. Not least the club's board. The long, near 4 year, march back from relegations and financial problems didn't just happen by chance. It happened because of the unity of purpose shared by everyone at the club from the board downward. This I saw for myself attending the presentation dinner at the Ramada.

The Whites are so fortunate to be so well supported. There are regularly over 1,200 supporters in the Dover terraces. With this kind of support, the team can only go from strength to strength. Go Whites!

Gordon Brown's 10p tax con

2008-04-28T23:15:00.001+01:00

Last week the Government made a "U Turn" on the abolition of the 10p tax band. Except . . . it's all a massive con!

The rebels (who include Dover's MP Gwynfor Prosser) have been duped by Gordon Brown and the Government. In the Dover constituency the estimated 5,000 losers are reduced to 3,000 losers only. It's a disgrace that 3,000 of our poorest neighbours will still lose out. Especially when real local earnings have been falling and the cost of living rising.

Who would have thought that a Labour Government would cut taxes for the rich and raise taxes for the poorest?

Carnival Selection Day

2008-04-27T20:48:00.000+01:00

Today I attended the carnival selection. This is, clearly, a risky thing for anyone, anywhere near politics to go!! However, it was great fun and I had the wonderful Mandie Sehmbi to look after me, as you can see.

A particular congratulations to Marek whose lovely daughter (left photo) was chosen as a carnival rose.

Meeting the A258 Action Group

2008-04-25T21:07:00.001+01:00

The A258 road from Dover to Deal is a disgrace. For years it has been a serious danger and nothing has been done about it. Lots of warm words, no action. So I arranged for the families who have lost loved ones on this dangerous road to meet Theresa Villiers MP, Shadow Transport Secretary.

It was a really good meeting. I learned a lot. The families were so passionate and sincere. They fight, not for themselves, but so that other families do not suffer the loss they have suffered. That's real compassion. I was greatly moved and will do all I can to help.

Elvington surgery

2008-04-24T21:02:00.000+01:00

Residents of Elvington and Eythorne have been concerned about their GP services for some time. Today the primary care trust held a public meeting to discuss what should be done.

The views of residents were represented with great strength by District Cllrs Jennifer Record (pictured right) and David Lloyd Jones along with Parish cllr Reg Hansell (middle). Hopefully we shall see some action and I will keep monitoring the situation.

6,722 Dover & Deal households risk repossession say experts

2008-04-21T23:11:00.000+01:00

So says Experian, the credit rating experts. 6,722 households in Dover & Deal have poor credit ratings and are "at risk" of falling behind on mortage payments or repossession.

The evidence shows that as the credit crunch bites, mortgage rates are rising sharply, mortgages are harder to find and property prices across the UK are falling at their sharpest rate for 30 years.

The Government needs to act quickly before it is too late. They need to help get people access to mortgages and better rates. Otherwise we will see what is currently worry turn into a real house price slide. One person I spoke to in Deal last week told me they had a mortage offer at a nearly 10% interest rate. I nearly fell off my chair.

The financial system is complicated - but the Government should follow the advice of Shadow Chancellor George Osborne and allow banks to sell mortages to the Bank of England in return for Government bonds. That would enable banks quickly to get hold of more cash and start lending again - at better rates. The Government also needs to do more to help the least well off. Now is the time to save the 10p rate of tax, not raise taxes on the least well off as planned.

Labour increase taxes on the poorest

2008-04-11T23:06:00.001+01:00

Figures show that millions of the UK's poorest people will pay more in tax as a result of the scrapping of the 10p rate band. The Government has confirmed that 5.3 million will lose out under the changes - over 5,000 of whom live in Dover & Deal.

I was delighted to see that Dover's Labour MP signed a Parliamentary Motion opposing the changes. Yet to make a real difference he will need to vote against the tax change itself. It will come to Parliament for a vote shortly.

The poorest in our communities are already hard pressed by rising prices and the credit crunch. There just isn't the room to pay even more tax. I urge Mr Prosser follow his instincts and stand up for hard working people in Dover & Deal when it counts by voting against this unfair and unjust measure.

Housing in Whitfield

2008-03-31T10:21:00.004+01:00

Meeting with the Whitfield Action Group impressed on me how concerned people in Whitfield are about the proposals to build thousands of houses locally. And rightly so. The Whitfield we know and love could be ruined. Sunk into a characterless New Town.

We know that if more than 8,000 new homes are built in our area, it will be Whitfield that bears the brunt. Any plan for over 10,000 houses is likely to seriously impact Whitfield. Of course, we all support regeneration, more jobs and money locally. We know that could mean new homes. Yet new homes should be built only when really needed - according to actual demand rather than a plan. The worst possible result would be for the Whitfield we know and love to be lost, with little gain for our local economy.

I think Whitfield works. It has a sense of community most places can only dream about. People are engaged and involved in what goes on locally. It would be a shame to lose all that in a soulless New Town. We have seen excessive development across the South East in recent years. We are sinking into a sea of concrete and congestion. East Kent is wonderful - yet is threatened with ending up like the rest of the South East. Right now, we have a lot of quantity of life and quality of life. I think that quality of life is worth preserving.

Labour MP backs Post Office Closures

2008-03-24T22:02:00.000Z

The closure of so many Post Offices has been a tragedy for our community. I and the local Conservatives fought the closure programme tooth and nail.

Dover's Labour MP, Gwynfor Prosser, claimed he was against the closures too. So what exactly was he doing voting in favour of the Government's closure programme? It's very disappointing that he didn't back the community - and even more disappointing that he seems to say one thing to constituents and do another thing in Parliament. It doesn't seem a very straight thing to do.

Local wages fall £1,000 in five years

2008-02-25T22:53:00.000Z

Local wages have fallen in real terms by £1,000 in five years. Our wages now lag Kent and the UK.

Official figures from the Office of National Statistics show that wage earners living in Dover & Deal have fallen behind by £2,000 a year compared with Kent and the UK in the last five years.

To my mind, these shocking figures result from the Government's failure to invest locally, failure to provide our community with its fair share and that this is taking a toll on local wages.

In 2002, the average local wage was £17,900 - the same as for Kent as a whole and almost £1,000 more than the then UK average of £16,964. In 2007, the average local wage was £19,000 - while Kent has shot up to £21,000 and the UK leapfrogged us to £20,000. Real local wages, after adjusting for inflation, have fallen from £20,500 to £19,000, a stand of living fall of over £1,000 since in five years.

This is a matter of real concern to me. For too long there has been underfunding locally. We need a fairer share of investment to take us forward. This is why we need urgently the road upgrades that should have happened 10 years ago. This is why Dover Council's regeneration plans are so important. This is why we need a change from talk to action and delivery. No-one should doubt how serious things are. We absolutely have to move Dover & Deal back into the fast lane.

No Port privatisation !!

2008-02-15T22:49:00.000Z

I am against privatising the port of Dover. This question was asked by the Dover Express last week and deserves a clear answer. So I hope that's clear!

What's more, I have persuaded the Conservative Parliamentary party to change its official position. So I can also give an assurance that a Conservative Government will not privatise the port of Dover. There will be no port privatisation on my watch.

A "U turn"? Absolutely. A humiliation? More like an unashamed ability to listen to what people say. Something I would recommend to the current Government who have welshed on their manifesto commitment to a referendum on Europe, whose economic incompetence is seriously threatening our personal finances and who work day and night to close our hospital for a little "polyclinic" in the face of passionate opposition.

People tell me not enough has been done for Dover by the current Government and that politicians don't listen enough. That we don't get our fair share. I want to change that. Change to get a richer, safer Dover with better healthcare. Change to representatives that listen more. So please do get in touch with me on 01304 379669 or elphicke@doverconservatives.com.

I'd like to hear what you want to see for you, your children and the future. I am here to listen, to help and above all to serve.

Sea Scouts ready to grow

2008-02-08T19:04:00.001Z

With Cllr Nick Kenton, I went to see Dover Sea Scouts.

Their motto is "Ready aye Ready" and they are ready to grow their numbers. The Scouts, based at TS Lynx near Connaught barracks, are hoping to take on more cadets.

The Sea Scouts are so important to our community. The kids learn the importance of teamwork and respect - things too often missing in our neighbourhoods. The cadets have great fun there and they are as keen as mustard. There are 40 cadets in total and I hope more people will sign up.

They are lead by Lt Sheila Watson, who's a great leader and a real inspiration. I hope community money can be found to do up their building and increase capacity. This picture is Cllr Kenton, myself and the cadets.

Why do we feel so broke?

2008-02-05T19:12:00.001Z

I recently published a report with the Centre for Policy Studies called "Why we feel so broke?". It got masses of national coverage - The News of the World, Telegraph, Sunday Times, Daily Mail, Express as well as the Radio 4 Today programme, lots of other radio, Channel 4 News and local papers like Your Dover and the Dover Express (but not, of course, the East Kent Mercury).

The report shows that the average UK family is paying almost £8,000 a year more in tax than in 1997, while stagnating earnings are making it harder for households to meet these and other rising costs, a report claimed today.

The average household now pays around £16,938 in taxes - £7,800 more than when Labour first came to power. The rise, when combined with "excessive debt" and the increasing costs of servicing a mortgage and paying bills, means households are very vulnerable to any economic downturn.

The increases in taxation and the recent availability of easy credit is a potentially toxic mixture.
Until recently, average families were able to absorb tax increases partly through rising salaries and greater levels of personal debt. But since 2005 increases in disposable income after tax and housing costs have stalled or gone into reverse.

To see the report, go to this link: http://www.cps.org.uk/cpsfile.asp?id=997

Time for fairness on immigration

2008-02-01T22:42:00.001Z

After 10 years of the current Labour Government, our roads are no better, our hospital is closure threatened and a record one in four are workless locally.

Last week the Government moved backwards on border security. And it's a real shame. Immigration minister Liam Byrne visited Dover. He could have got on a ferry to Calais and visited our overworked immigration officials there. He could have asked the French why they have banned stowaway detecting scanners.

But no . . . he announced yet another agency instead! We really need a proper border police force with full powers to secure our borders. The Dover Removal Centre is staffed with excellent and committed officers. Yet they are let down by the Home Office which lets a third of people get bail and apparently vanish.

It's not just a matter of border security. It's humanity too. Thanks to the Home Office a lot of people who are not bailed are stuck at the Dover Removal Centre (pictured) in limbo for years. They may have committed no crime yet they get more time than the average robber or paedophile. So I've worked hard to help people in that position to have fair treatment. They have a right to a fast decision - and so do we who pay for their imprisonment. Scanners can save lives. Too many stowaways die, like the 58 Chinese who suffocated.

This mix of incompetence with lack of compassion stains us all.

Pressing health chiefs on our hospitals

2008-01-29T18:54:00.000Z

I recently put the case for local hospital based care when I met with local health chiefs. I met the Primary Care Trust chief executive Anne Sutton and Director Lynne Selman to discuss my plan for a new or refurbished hospital in Dover and health upgrades in Deal.

We need to see improved urgent care, diagnostics like X-rays, a special focus on elderly care, day surgery and hospital based care beds. We had a useful discussion of how Dover's healthcare can be improved after a decade in which Labour has destroyed Dover's Buckland's hospital. I believe the Primary Care Trust are doing the best they can for us but are prevented from doing more by Central Government.

We discussed the future of Deal Hospital. They are doing everything they can to make sure the excellent care there will be safeguarded, yet with this Government closing so many hospitals, we cannot be sure.

The problems of local healthcare have been well aired by the Dover Express. On the other hand, these issues have not been explored so deeply by media in Deal, which is a shame given the dangers faced by Deal's own hospital. We are really lucky to have some real fighters in our community who are making sure this issue is kept high on the agenda. I would like to congratulate the many people who have worked so hard for us all to have decent healthcare locally - people like Lorraine Sencicle, Reg and Wendy Hansell and Pauline Majors, who all care so much.

Jamie Oliver eat your heart out!

2008-01-28T18:47:00.000Z

School food in Deal and Sandwich is prepared with the finest ingredients from local suppliers and cooked in a traditional way by local social action company Whole School Meals.

I visited St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Walmer and Castle Community College in Deal and was very impressed. I heard from school heads what an amazing difference healthy food made to the students' success. The school dinners were amazing. Whole School Meals want to see a wider take up of their brainfood by children - especially those who qualify for free school meals.

Seems to me that schools in Deal are living the Jamie Oliver dream - the kids are so lucky. A big congratulations to Whole School Meals. Yet strangely, quite a lot of children are bringing packed lunches to school - especially those qualifying for free school meals. I tried to get the East Kent Mercury to give more exposure to the benefits for kids on free school meals, but they didn't want to join in. I think that's a real shame.

A20 resurfacing

2008-01-21T15:42:00.000Z

Much concern has been expressed about the A20 resurfacing. Diversions are necessary around Dover at night, seemingly because HMRC freight clearance would not move to the Eastern docks or Whitfield.

DDC Cllr Nigel Collor and I expressed concern about this having been to the Highways Agency exhibition and seen the extent of the diversions that were planned.

Building a better Dover

2007-12-14T15:35:00.000Z

In December 2007, local Conservatives helped organise a transport day which was attended by Shadow Shipping Minister Julian Brazier MP, Shadow Roads Minister Robert Goodwill MP, Cllr Nigel Collar and myself. Under discussion was a long term solution for operation stack with a lorry parkand a plan to free up the centre of Dover from lorries.

We put forward the idea of lorry parks to stop the Stack. We have also put forward the proposal for fully duelling the A2. This should, of course, been done 10 years ago. It was axed from the roads programme by John Prescott and is an example of the way we have been disgracefully neglected.

We also put forward the proposal that the A2 should be the route to the Eastern docks and the M20 to the Western docks once built. This would free up the centre of Dover and help the regneration plans to be a success. That KCC have taken these matters up and that Shadow Ministers visit is evidence that a Conservative Government would end the years of underinvestment in our community. That's why we need change.

Photo (L to R) C Cllr Keith Ferrin (Tranport Cabinet Member KCC) Cllr NigelCollar (Transport Cabinet Member DDC), Robert Goodwill MP, Julian Brazier MP and Charlie Elphicke

Carols at the Dover Removal Centre

2007-12-08T11:23:00.002Z

I attended the most moving carol service at the Dover Removal Centre. There I met with many of detainees and listened to their stories of how they ended up in the removal centre.

Some people think that border security is simply about chucking people out of the country. They say it doesn't happen often enough and the Government has been weak on the issue. Yes, Britain is pretty much full and yes the Government has made a real mess of things, allowing our borders to be highly porous and not getting a grip on bogus asylum seekers.

Yet that does not mean we should lack compassion. We should always be willing to hold out a hand to those in real need of asylum. And when we have allowed people to come to Britain, when they have put down roots and built a family, I cannot find it in my heart to say they should be thrown out and the family split up. So I have taken up cases such as these and done my best to help.

Labour have killed our Post Offices

2007-12-07T19:14:00.000Z

A short update to my previous post. It is now confirmed that all 6 post offices in the Dover & Deal constituency will close. Labour have really lost the plot - this means that many communities will effectively have no post office services. It's absolutely tragic.

I'd like to pay tribute to the many in the community who fought valiantly to put a stop to the closures. And to councillors of all parties who fought hard for the community.

Labour killing our Post Offices

2007-11-26T15:13:00.000Z

Labour are closing 6 post offices locally. People in Capel have told me how angry they are as their post office was paid for by the village and only opened a few years ago. Mr Patel, who runs an excellent post office and shop in Sholden only did the shop up a couple of years ago. Where's his investment going to be thanks to the Government's crazy closure campaign? Mr Ferrier pictured here is lucky - his post office in the centre of Deal is not one earmarked for closure. Yet he'll probably have big queues come Christmas with two post offices local to Deal looking like they'll be closing. Dover town also loses two post offices.

This is the decision making of the madhouse. I've been getting up a petition to Parliament to try and get the Government to see sense. Considering how they have been making such a mess of everything they do lately, this does seem a bit unlikely. There's always hope . . .

Eastry coffee morning

2007-11-23T10:34:00.002Z

Going to the Eastry drop in coffee morning was a great chance to chat to residents over a cuppa. Pictured standing beside me is Cllr Nick Kenton.

Paper boat race

2007-11-21T09:10:00.000Z

On their marks . . . Pictured (L to R): Ken Tranter, Cllr Jan Tranter (Lab), me, Barry Williams and Cllr Nigel Collor

Go! Pictured (L to R): Stewart Dimmock (in naval uniform), Barry Williams, Cllr Jan Tranter, me, Cllr Nigel Collor and Ken Tranter

Stewart Dimmock, who is a school governor and father of two, recently won a High Court fight about the distribution of Al Gore's film to schools. The ruling was seen as a major reverse for Al Gore and the Government.

Phil Reilly's leaving drinks

2007-11-21T09:07:00.000Z

When well known and respected Dover journalist Phil Reilly moved from the Dover Express to the Kent on Sunday in the Summer of 2007, a good send off was had. Pictured here (L to R) is Vic Matcham, Phil, Cllr Paul Watkins (Leader of DDC) and Cllr Nigel Collor.

Vic ran as an independent candidate at the last general election - he's now joined the Conservative Party. Welcome abaord!

Community safety day and Pencester Park

2007-11-20T20:47:00.000Z

With PCSO Phillips, Cllr Jan Tranter (Lab) and Cllr Nigel Collor (Con) and many others, I supported the community safety day at Pencester Park. This was back in the Summer of 07, when the evenings were still light.It was a fun time. People told me about being woken up in the middle of the night, intimidation, getting beaten up and house breaking. More community respect and Police powers will do much for safety and security in Dover. Seems clear to me that we should support the Police with zero tolerance policing powers and get more police on our streets.

Fun in Aylesham

2007-11-20T20:42:00.000Z

Back in the Summer of 2007 the Aylsham by election meant some campaigning. Along the way we stopped off at Father Jeff's Church Fair and were treated to strawberry tea! Sadly I didn't win a coconut this time . . . memo to self: "must try harder!"

After a long day of campaigning, the team enjoyed the hospitality of the Snowdown Colliery Welfare Club.

Feted to have fun in Alkham

2007-11-20T20:39:00.000Z

A beautiful summers day at the Alkham Valley Fete back in the Summer where I enjoyed a fine day out with local River Ward Conservative Councillor and leading light Sue Nicholas. And . . . I won a coconut!!

On patrol 2

2007-11-20T20:36:00.000Z

Going on the patrol was a real experience. Later on I saw Dover at its most enthusiastic, yet alcohol makes some violent and there were arrests . . . I was amazed at how patient the Police are.

Sgt Parkes is on the left. Gemma here was out on the town for the first time in a year having had her baby ten weeks before (congratulations!). She was understandably in a very good mood.

On patrol 1

2007-11-20T20:31:00.000Z

I went round with the Police for a full shift in November 2007 - 7pm Sat to 3am Sun. Earlier on I went round with PCs Lidgely (L) and Hawkes (R), seen here.

We met swarms of bored young people in River. They told me they wanted more activities in Dover for younger people. The Council is working to get more for younger people to do.

Dover Labour Mayor joins Conservatives

2007-11-20T10:08:00.000Z

Following the publication of his "Breakdown Britain" report in the Summer of 2007, Iain Duncan Smith (right) visited Dover. Iain met with residents of Buckland and St Radigunds, touring the Triangle Centre in St Radigunds and meeting with representatives of Buckland Together.

Mr Duncan Smith also met with Ken Tranter (left), former Labour Mayor of Dover, and welcomed him to the Conservative Party. Also pictured is Susan Wilson who runs the Triangle Centre.

The DoverForum reported - "Former and recent Labour Mayor, Ken Tranter, caused something of a local furore last week when he turned his back on all things socialist and joined the Conservative Party. This was quite a shock in some quarters, and has caused consternation of earth shattering shockwave proportions amongst the local political elite."

Join the referendum petition

2007-11-20T10:02:00.000Z

If you agree we should have a referendum, do print this out and send it to me.

Yes referendum!

2007-11-20T08:51:00.000Z

We should have a referendum on the EU Constition / Treaty. The EU costs loads, there's a real issue on whether we get value for money and EU rules make up 6 out of 10 of our laws. The Constitution / Treaty takes things to a new level of integration.

I thought this is something we should all have a say about. So we got a licence from the Bank of England to print money in September 2007 and put out this leaflet seeking a petition for a referendum on the EU constitution / Treaty across Dover & Deal to see what people thought.

I have never had such a response to a leaflet. Over a thousand people joined the petition.

The leaflet was printed at Buckland Press in Dover and pictured here is Roger Gale MP and Kevin Snoad, MD of Buckland Press.

Remembrance Sunday

2007-11-15T09:56:00.004Z

As I laid a wreath of remembrance, I reflected how the World Wars of the last century seem so far away now. Yet still we will remember what our fathers and grandfathers did for us. Their fight then gained our freedom today.

And we will never forget the destruction visited on Dover by shell fire from occupied France. We still live with the results. Dover should have been awarded the George Cross.

Port - bigger, independent but no privisation!

2007-10-05T00:45:00.001+01:00

Photo: L to R: Bob Goldfield, CEO of Dover Harbour Board, Charlie Elphicke, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Dover & Deal and Julian Brazier MP, Conservative Shadow Shipping Minister.

Julian Brazier MP, Conservative Shadow Shipping Minister and I met with Dover Harbour Board Chief Executive Bob Goldfield to discuss the future of the Port of Dover. We are supporting Government Harbour Revision Order proposals which will aid the Western Docks expansion and give the Port more independence without the threat of privatisation. I want to see two directors on the Harbour Board jointly appointed by Kent County Council and Dover District Council to help strengthen the growing partnership between the Port and the community.

I was delighted that we won support for these important changes, which will hopefully quickly clear Parliament. I listened carefully to the community. People told me they want to see the job creating Port expansion happen quickly and more local accountability without privatisation. If our proposals are taken up in full, these community goals can be delivered.

The Port has increasingly been a positive partner in the Dover Renewal and it is essential that this should continue. Two community appointed directors on the Harbour Board can be a bridge to the betterment of Dover and the Port for the long term.

Introduction

2007-10-05T00:43:00.001+01:00

My family have lived in East Kent for many years and we live on the seafront in Deal. My wife Natalie and I have two children – Charlotte 7 and Thomas 9 months.

Natalie went to Clarendon House grammar in Ramsgate. My mother in law lived in Shepherdswell and taught at local primary schools. So I am passionately concerned about improving school and vocational education and realising our opportunities.

My father in law is a lorry driver. He used to work for Kent Salads. In my job, I specialise in inward investment and British job creation. Yet wages locally are £378 a week – below the Kent average, while unemployment is higher than the average. I want to see that change. I am excited about job opportunities from our dominant distribution position combined with our knowledge industries.

I believe we can achieve greater success across the board. The wealth gap is too high and I want to see this fall. We need a Britain we can all feel part of.

There is not enough respect for older people. My late father, an alzeimer's sufferer, lived in a home that closed down at Bossington near Aylesham. In the last ten years, pensions have seen tax raids. Low annuities are cut further by mean tested pension credit. That state pension is too low and should be higher. Older people should get more respect and have enough money to retire with dignity. The 17,000 pensioners who live locally deserve better than that.