Our community has many excellent Grammar Schools. How does it make sense to smash them up to level down education standards as Labour would like to do? Surely it's better to give parents the widest possible choice in the sort of school that's right for their children - so the mix of independent, faith based, Grammars, specialist science and arts schools and so on is something that I support. Having been round so many schools locally, I've been deeply impressed by the commmitment and hard work of all. The one thing I feel is lacking is enough vocational education - not every child will be inspired by Shakespeare and the development of a stronger skills base is really important if we are to see more higher skilled, better paid jobs locally. Astor College does great work on that and I strongly support the work of South Kent College.
- Charlie Elphicke

Well Charlie you might well say that you support grammar schools but let's face it you may as well be talking to a brick wall judging by your glorious leaders' opinion on this matter. In 2007 He described critics of His policies on this issue in terms of their “ideological self-indulgence”. Then, magically, I seem to remember His 180 degree about turn after grass roots Tories rounded upon HIm. Since then prospective Tory voters are even less the wiser as to where your boss stands. He barely mentions the subject, rather inconveniently I might add, and instead tinkers with new ideas which will sort out what He probably will end up calling "Our broken education system". Employing only those with a minimum of 2.1 in brain surgery, higher mathematics or rocket science accepted into the teaching profession is really one of the most ludicrous ideas his advisors have come up with since they convinced him to install a wind turbine on the side of his house. "Go on Dave, put one of those up it'll sweep up the green vote overnight", "er, are you sure won't they see through the tokenism?". So Charlie be fair to Peter who asked the original question but be a little more honest with us all. Instead of merely giving your opinion on grammar schools give us your official party line on the issue. Please give an honest answer because with the internet it's possible to check these things.
- Paul

The official position is where grammar schools exist they will remain. So it's not a problem for us. Yet, as I say, I feel we need a greater emphasis on vocational education - this is something that would do a lot of good for opportunities and chances in Dover
- Charlie Elphicke

Thanks Charlie but questions still remain on your partys' policy on this issue. I think that saying that existing grammar schools will be allowed to remain isn't exactly reassuring, it's hardly an endorsement of a proven avenue to give a leg up to intelligent children from less privilaged backgrounds now is it? I guess Mr. Cameron dislikes the idea that selection based on intelligence and a willingness to study hard and do well is the reason for his distain for grammar schools. So this opens up questions as to where he stands on selection based upon religion (faith schools) and financial status (public schools such as Eton). Could you tell us where he stands on those two examples of entry into ones' choice of school based upon those criteria?
- Paul

Thanks Paul. We support grammar schools. We support faith based schools. We want all children to do well.
- Charlie Elphicke

Need I say any more on the subject? http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1249765/85-young-people-want-grammar-schools-created.html
- Paul

Well I'm not in full possession of the facts on this issue but in principle I cannot see anything wrong. I would like to hear the case against the sell off. Wasn't it Margaret Thatcher who championed the sell off of various nationalised industries in the eighties? How any deal is formalised makes a great deal of difference to the effect it has on the port as well as the town so there needs to be a for and against debate before We can make our minds up on this issue. If the sell off means a running down and asset stripping then that is obviously a bad thing. However if it means a better run port then maybe there is a good case to be made. I'm still ignorant of the implications so any facts would be gratefully welcomed.
- Paul

interesting thoughts there paul, sadly we will not know until it is flogged off. i have a sinking feeling about it though.
- howard mcsweeney

Indeed. I am very concerned about the security of our borders. And we need the Western Docks developed. Plus an "Ocean Village" development between the docks would make a real difference. While I don't agree with this sell off, I am struck by a great irony. If the plan that was rejected at the last election had gone ahead, we would have had massive road upgrades and benefited from lots of money locally. Now it seems like we will get very little. Dover is a great town and deserves a fair share.
- Charlie Elphicke

The truth is no-one knows for sure. A major generator of greenhouse gas is apparently farming - and cows are apparently great producers of methane! The way I see it is that non carbon dioxide producing power generation would mean less pollution across the board - so I think the idea of more nuclear and carbon capture power generation supplying fuel cell powered cars is interesting. Every time I say this, I get accused of groupthink / group hugging! Yet I'm quite hard headed about it all. our cities would be cleaner and if the greenhouse effect is real emissions would be far lower. More nuclear and carbon capture coal would also mean more energy security for the UK, which is also very important. So there are good reasons beyond climate change alone. I'd be interested to know what people think more generally . . .
- Charlie Elphicke

Thanks for that Charlie but that was a politicians reply to a straight question. I'll try again. What thoughts do you have regarding the massive controversy whipped up by the goings on at the climate research unit in East Anglia? Do you think that the emails and data which have exposed a culture of, erm let's say, economy with the truth will affect any of your party's green policies especially those directly concerning those to do with climate change, or global warming as it used to be known? Just a yes or no will suffice but I would appreciate a longer answer as you might well imagine.
- Paul

Straight answer: I have no idea! A major difficulty with this debate is that there is an industry and people make money or have jobs that depend on saying that disaster awaits us all. Likewise for the opposite side of the debate. That's inevitable, I suppose, but means the serious discussion that needs to be had on the risks gets clouded. The East Anglia issue is very unhelpful as it harms the confidence all of us have in what is really going on. The impression is given that a whole load of scientists are colluding to ramp up concern that may not be justified and indeed are possibly fiddling the data. We need to focus on the science and accurate data, not the special interest people have one way or the other. Clearly it's pretty key to know whether global temparatures are rising and if so by how much! That said, is the reform of power generation not justified in any event by the benefits from energy security and less pollution across the board?
- Charlie Elphicke

Thanks Charlie. I have no idea is an honest and straightforward answer and one which is refreshing in this day and age. I have to say, however, that this particular issue is one where you and you collegues really do have to make up your mind up on. The implications for us all if the policies your party and others are carried through have the power to do immense damage to this country's economy. Whilst you are correct in pointing out the importance of reform in terms of power generation I have to say that the line that your leadership has taken on the issue is extremely misguided. Energy security essentially means reducing our dependence on gas powered fire stations and the building of nuclear and coal fired power station (without the carbon and capture and storage which will never work and requires fifty percent more coal to be burned in order to work) and the complete reversal of the policy of building new windfarms. If you really have no idea on such an important topic I suggest you do some research. This is not a vague take it or leave it issue it's one of the most important issue which will affect us all and will cost us many hundreds of billions of tax payers money and if we get this wrong by following the warmist religion doctrine then your party will reap the fury of its supporters by demanding why your party fell for the global warming scam hook, line and sinker.
- Paul

The question was how the UEA CRU scandal would affect our policy. The answer - I don't know. We'll see, no doubt. Yet what is clear is that we are interested in more efficient energy, so we can all have warmer homes for less. And the idea of more efficient, lower polluting and energy secure power generation is very much in line with the thinking of the national party as well as myself. In fairness, I think I've been clear that I am not a climate change denier on the one hand - nor am I a climate change evangelist on the other. I try to take a balanced view and look at the science. That must surely be right as it is the future of our children and grandchildren that will be affected one way or the other.
- Charlie Elphicke

Yes fair enough Charlie but on this issue you cannot straddle the fence. You either believe in the science or you don't. It's that simple. It's rather like saying "Yes I'm a socialist but I believe in capitalism". There is far too much at stake here namely the econonic destiny of the UK. All three mainstream political leaders somehow think that the future of our economy lies to a great extent in the creation of green jobs. Sorry but it ain't gonna happen and furthermore it is the United Kingdom who will suffer the most when the scam is fully realised. Much like the growing of groundnuts in Africa green will become not only discredited but used as a punchline of many jokes. "Did you hear the one about the environmentalist?............" Sorry to labour the point Charlie and I won't pester you any more with this one, you've been as good as gold in at least replying to my points, but please have a word with your boss. Tell him nobody believes it any more and it could well do your party a great deal of harm in the long term. Once again thanks.
- Paul

Thanks Paul, I take your comments on board. I too am very concerned about these emails. And it's true - caution is needed here, we don't need another ground nut style disaster.
- Charlie Elphicke

Well Charlie, I expected that I wouldn't comment any further on this particular isse. However circumstances have taken a turn for the worse. It appears that the global warming scam alongside issues centred around the EU have conspired to cause the sacking of many, many workers who work for Corus. This climategate issue, as I alluded to earlier, is really really serious. It will affect every single person in this country. Every single person. It will affect how they behave in their day to day lives, the choices they make and how much they will be expected to pay for things they buy. Corus is just the tip of the iceberg. This obsession with saving the planet is not some vague intellectual game played out in some virtual world where one sides ideas oppose the others as a proxy replacing past political dividing lines, this is extremely serious. You have to speak to David Cameron. He must find a way, an escape route if you like, to turn around and re-examine this issue. Who knows by doing a U-turn He may well be seen as an honest politicican, one who is able to be really pragmatic and face up to the truth. I did warn of the perils of going down the road of this fashion of environmentalism and I'm not alone in that respect. Most grass roots Tories feel the same way as I do you only have to read the blog replies at Conservativehome to see that. Nobody likes a loser but People do like someone who is able to admit that they might have got things wrong. There is a way out. Mr. Cameron could call for an independent inquiry examining every aspect of the science in an open and honest way, without spin and without bias. He must, however, announce this as soon as possible. To leave it any longer than is required will show in the polls where it will hurt the most. I am non-partisan politically. I consider myself an ordinary bloke who tends to think right of centre, Conservative with a small c. But I am not alone by any means.
- Paul

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/industrials/article6945991.ece Need I say more?
- Paul

Sorry Charlie and this is my last word on the subject. I was somewhat naive to suggest that you or anyone should take David Cameron to one side and suggest that he might be totally and utterly wrong on this issue. Of course He, Himself, is under a great deal of pressure from vested interests to carry on with this madness. Now that big business in soaked from head to foot financially they indeed stand to lose alot of money now they have twigged and invested into the scam. Who would have thought eh? Oil companies, automobile makers, energy conglomerates and all the rest of them. Oh well it was fun while it lasted but now that I know that your leader is putting positive pressure on prospective candidates and backbenchers to conform to this mad groupthink mentality the cause is lost. Be careful though. Be careful what you wish for. You many find that being an elected representative isn't all it's cracked up to be once the voters finally catch on to what is going on.
- Paul

Thanks for trying Paul but you were right about David Cameron. I was horrified to read what he said in a recent interview with the Guardian concerning yet another home insulation initiative. I qoute directly from that interview Cameron said: "I want to launch this from day one of a Conservative government, with councils actually going house to house, street to street, to identify the areas, the homes and the people that would most benefit and would get on with doing most quickly."Faced by a mini-revolt from climate change sceptics within his own party, he said: "A very small number of people take a different view on the science, but the policy is driven by me, and that is the way it is going to be."
- John mcnab

Surely John this is not just about climate change issues - it's about helping people to have lower heating bills. As I've said before, the science on climate change is not totally clear. Yet I believe in more diverse energy supplies because our home grown oil and gas is running out and imports are too often come from uncertain regions with uncertain pricing and supply. Energy security really matters. So renewables and nuclear power are important. In the same way, I have no problem with the least well off getting insultation to help lower their energy bills. I struggle to see what the objection is, unless it is that poor people should not be given any help at all, which as a compassionate Modern Conservative is obviously not something I would agree with!
- Charlie Elphicke

Charlie, as compassionate Old fashioned Conservative I have no objection to "the least well off" receiving help to reduce their energy bills. What frightens me is the thought of council workers going house to house and street to street to identify the problem areas. How many council workers will be required to achieve this ? How much energy will be expended on this search to cut our fuel bills ? I thought that having a Conservative government might lead to less local council intrusion into our lives and homes. It seems i was wrong . I am happy to see that you have some reservations regarding the science of climate change, unfortunately it would appear that David Cameron has not. Here's the link to the article from which I quoted yesterday............. http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/dec/15/david-cameron-energy-efficiency-copenhagen ............... Mr Cameron makes his position perfectly clear. I fear that his total acceptance of MMGW will cost our country and our industry dearly. John Mcnab
- John Mcnab

Hi Mrs Smith, We've set out a vision for Deal and getting a cinema back in the town is part of that. I have been putting the case for the Quarterdeck to be used for amusements and leisure - ten pin bowling and things like that, not the "Kiss me quick" kind! I agree strongly we need more for younger people to do and great family days out. I'll help attract more visitors too. Will keep trying and thank you so much for your comment. I'd be interested to know what other people think too.
- Charlie Elphicke

Thanks for this Vic. I'll make enquiries and see what can be done. I'm afraid the District Council don't control the Police. That's Central Government. I'm hoping we can get change there too with zero tolerance, beat based policing so we can have safer streets for the long term!
- Charlie Elphicke

there are many disused buildings in dover used for those purposes. better that than doing it in a crowded area where cildren may play.
- howard mcsweeney

These people are doing it in front of children as well Howard have a look at the car park directly behind the MFI building which incidently they have broken and entered into which is an offence on its own. Also go down Pencester gardens or down by the Dover Town Hall plus begging in the subways.
- Vic Kerry

Vic, I've made enquiries. The Council has been very helpful in responding. They say that in the past, there were many complaints relating to this issue, particularly as the place was being used, allegedly, as an area to take drugs. Notice was served on the current owners of the property who I am told had the building blocked up. DDC say they have also installed fencing in an effort to prevent further entry to the land. Given this, it does seem to me that DDC have tried very hard to deal with the problem. Please can you let me know if these actions have succeeded in dealing with the problem or if more needs to be done?
- Charlie Elphicke

If the parking of camper vans on Dover Seafront is illegal then it is for the authorities to act but certainly not worth selling up for. Hefty on-the-spot fines should be imposed but notices in at least three foreign languages to deter foreign camper van owners would be a reasonable first step.
- Paul Youden

Hi Karen, I'm making enquiries and will see what can be done.
- Charlie Elphicke

Hi Karen, following my enquiries, I understand that DDC made the Police aware of this issue. Apparently one camper van in particular caused special upset. The police looked into it, but the vehicle was found to be taxed/insured and road worthy. Also, the vehicle was not parked in a restricted area. So little could be done about it, unless you want to make the case for yellow lines in the area in question. In Deal that could be a difficult case to make, as parking is already very limited and under pressure on the seafront. It would help me if you could explain the concern in a bit more detail - is it that they block your view, are ugly or is there some other reason for being concerned about them?
- Charlie Elphicke

Surely the original site for this Hospital was Whitfield. This is where it should be . Good road links and bus service.
- sandra hooper

Whilst I agree Whitfield is the ideal site and the oine originally earmarked, the amount of money required is astronomical compared to what is required to transform Buckland Hospital back into the once excellent hospital it was. After all, Minor Injuries; Doctor-on-Call; Maternity; x-ray and Out Patients are already located at Buckland. And there are four wards just waiting to be re-opened, not to mention the two operating theatres. £8 million against at least £20 million - no contest!
- Paul Youden

Paul is right. Sadly though the whole place has been run down and systematically destroyed by the Government. It seems it would cost more the repair than build anew. A new build would be better suited to latest medical practices, they say. The choices seem to be Buckland car park, Buckland Mill and Whitfield. But the way things are going we'll be lucky to get anything as the Government's flood chiefs have slowed things up no end.
- Charlie Elphicke

Shouldn't there be some sort of enquiry into this whole affair? The flood plain issue was up there in the forefront as one good reason not to go ahead with this scheme and yet long after the agreed siting for this pretend hospital it transpires that indeed there is a problem with the site in terms of water ingress. This strikes me as bonkers. It also strikes me that the only winners in this whole fiasco are the consultants whoever they might be. No doubt the same people will be hired in order to seek other more suitable sites in or around the town. What a waste of taxpayers money and what a waste of time when the existing services at Buckland are being run down as we speak.
- Paul

I don't disagree with anything you say, Paul. The key thing is to find the right site and to listen to what people think rather than it all just get decided without discussion and debate. This is what I am trying to do.
- Charlie Elphicke

Hey what's happened to all the comments? They've disappeared. Is this what 10% cuts look like Charlie?
- Phil

I'm not making any pledges - but I'm trying to get them back soonest!
- Charlie Elphicke

Comments are now working again :)
- PoliticsWeb administrator

The three remaining options (and their downsides) after the stakeholder meeting seem to be: the car park of the existing Buckland Hospital (the narrow bridge, the lack of parking and the difficulty of future expansion to a proper hospital are problems), Buckland Mill (possibly too expensive) or Whitfield (it's not in the centre of Dover, so some say it's too far). I've set out some views in the local news section. Please do feel free to comment.
- Charlie Elphicke

Given that there is already a car park and clinic on the originally proposed site that do not appear to have experienced to many challenges, that we live near the sea, near a river, in Britain, and therefore flooding is always a risk, and that the EA is paid to manage those risks, I am not quite sure why the original site is now deemed unsuitable. Unless there is a hidden agenda?
- Bern

The EA seems to see its job solely as being about stopping building in places that might, one day, flood. It's not a hidden agenda - they are just a machanistic quango. In fairness to them, we've all seen the river overspilling and ponding outside the Age Concern centre, so I can see it's a concern. What to do? The man from the EA said it would take three years to sort out. Bottom line: we can't wait that long for our health facility. The money would be long gone. Realistically we need to go for another site . . . and fast! Yet we do need to get the works done in mid-town or the site will be sterilised for regeneration. Hope that helps.
- Charlie Elphicke

I have felt all along that the propsed site was not acceptable because of the smallness of the site and hence the lack abilityy to extent i the future if necessary. I feel that either Whitfield or the site used for the tunnel builders a Farthing gloe which at the moment seems to be unused and has good access and is already on a bus route. hismay not be acceptible to all the residents
- Judy Lansdell-Smth

Looks like most people are non too worried about MP's expenses judging by the feedback you've got back on this topic.
- Paul

It's certainly still an issue on the doorstep. People seem most keen now simply to know where people in public life stand on these issues. When this was last discussed here - see below - there was some quite heated debate!
- Charlie Elphicke

I understand what you are saying Charlie but let's face it the issue of expenses isn't really the crucial point of debate it once was. The expenses issue was really all to do with trust, the money not being the most significant part of it. Most sensible people realise that there is a need for politicians but also realise that they are animals not to be trusted. This is as true now as it has ever been. It's the economy stupid is a well worn quote from someone who epitomised the dark art of politics and provides us with a lesson in how we should take everything that those who represent us are rightfully mistrusted. What Clinton said is true, however, and with the current economic climate MPs expenses is no longer seen as that important. As an aside it has to be said that once Ireland votes Yes to the Lisbon treaty as it appears it will voters in the UK will be merely voting for a government which to all intents and purposes will be relegated to rubber stamping legislation from the EU. Sad but true. Having said that good luck with the next election in 2010.
- Paul

paul is right about the irish referendum and the subsequent rubberstamping of laws. that is why UKIP are making inroads into the blue vote, the BNP into the red vote. the leadership of our three main parties simply kowtow to what brussels tells them.
- howard mcsweeney

I support a referendum on Lisbon. I don't think elites should decide things without listening to people - which is why I am consulting on the best site for the health facility. The EU really annoys me because they decide so much law like tablets of stone from on high - we need to rework our relationship with the EU so we get to decide more of what happens around us.
- Charlie Elphicke

The Hospital can only go one place and that is Whitfield. It should be a proper surgical Hospital with everything William Harvey or Kent and Canterbury has. And it should have been built yesterday! I know, because of the lack of a proper Hospital in Dover, I was an hour away from very certain, very painful death on arriving at William Harvey some Years ago. If I had been able to go to a proper Hospital in Dover, my stay would have been much shortened, saving public funds, my recovery would have been swifter and I would not be covered in quite so much scar tissue! I don't mean to be melodramtic about this issue but as the World's busiest Ro-Ro Port, are we not entitled to something that, after all, should serve the community that serves that Port?
- John Ward

Quite a lot of people seem keen on Whitfield. This is why I want to test the balance of public feeling on the location issue. An all singing all dancing hospital would be the ideal - sadly the pass was sold in the late 1990s. Canterbury was saved by an effective MP and the Ashford and Thanet MPs managed to get their hospitals expanded into large centres. Ashford's MP is so effective he's even managed to get them a *second* hospital since then! Dover got the raw end of the deal. I am seeking to rescue what we can from the ashes and get the best deal. That's why I focus on care beds, doctor led emergency services (the E in A
- Charlie Elphicke

Expenses certainly is a hot topic, still. I and many of my friends and colleagues remain wholly offended by the devious and greedy behaviour demonstrated by some people who apparently still expect us to vote for them! And who appear less than able to grasp the toxic nature of their ineptitude and greed, to the point of complaining that we are hounding them! It won't go away, and if MPs think it will they continue to be deluded. Possibly present company accepted.....?
- Bern

I agree Bern. My view on this is pretty absolute - see the expenses section of this website under "campaigns". It won't go away, nor should it. I'm not in public life to take your hard earned money - I want people to keep more of their money and I'd like to see lower taxes too, once we get Britain restarted.
- Charlie Elphicke

Hi Adam and thanks for your kind words. One one level, I agree with you that things like healthcare, jobs and border security are more important. My real point is that we could do more to attract visitors who spend money and create jobs (which goodness knows we need!) . . . and have more fun things for families to do locally. If EH was more energetic that would be fine - but these great assets of our are not exactly seeing their full potential realised are they? I believe there is so much more we could and should do to make our community greater - and seeing more done with our local castles is one of those things. By starting this discussion, I hope EH will think a bit harder. Besides, at £6 a minute venue charge, only a quango could say that didn't pay! I'd be really interested to know what more you think could be done to strengthen tourism and provide families with more things to do.
- Charlie Elphicke

i read today that there is a campaign afoot to turn deal castle into a local museum. seems a good idea to me, would mean more footfall to the castle and as a museum it would have a great atmposphere.
- howard mcsweeney

Bob, welcome to the great climate change scam. Cap and trade, carbon offsetting, dodgy extrapolations, suppression of real data, average world temperature reduced by 0.74% since Al Gore's work of cinematic fiction was first released, BBC bias on the issue, Conservatives hand in hand with nulabour with the con voting the climate change bill in, the list goes on and on. Tell him to just dump the lot into a black sack and leave it out for the binmen in the morning.
- Paul

Sorry that should have read "average world temperature reduced by 0.74 degrees. Blame that on climate change, it causes more typos I'm led to believe.
- Paul

Bob, if that is going on, obviously it is crazy. I'll look into it. Charlie
- Charlie Elphicke

Tis completely bonkers and something that has annoyed me for a long time.Of course local council tax payers must not be footing the bill for businesses to use residents recycling banks as that is just not fair,however the fact that business bottles are not recycled is plainly ridculous.Local authorities presently do not collect business waste(well DDC doesn't),but it is something that DDC is looking into through the new waste contract that is currrently being drawn up.You want to have a word with Nick Kenton,portfolio holder for waste who will be able to explain it better than I.. I have also thought it a complete rip off that business rate payers don't even get their rubbish taken away for the exorbitant amount of rates they pay.Local areas don't even get to keep any of the money either!Sorry to rant-being in business myself,you hit a nerve with this one! J
- julie rook

Charlie. I'm very concerned about the present Governments ideas to alter the planning rules in order to make the siting of windfarms anywhere in Britain easier. This in my mind will inevitably lead to yet another erosion of local democracy just one in a series of casualties of the democratic process caused by nulabour. Given the Tories new found conversion to the Man-made global warming religion do you support these proposed changes to the planning rules?
- Paul

Charlie, I wouldn't really consider this idea a priority in terms of what the area of Kent needs. Anyway on this particular issue I think it's leading us all up a blind alley. First it would need an expensive public education campaign in order to educate the average Joe about the security dangers in using public access wifi networks. It's bad enough using a normal fixed line internet access but a wifi network opens up a whole new can of worms. Secondly, like global warming which your party says is the biggest threat to mankind some scientists have grave worries about the health implications associated with these networks and we wouldn't want to be flat-earthers and go against what the scientists say now would we?
- Paul

That's a fair point. What things do you think we should concentrate on to improve communications locally?
- Charlie Elphicke

improve communications locally? most people in deal and dover would say buses in the evening and on sunday that is the reality.
- howard mcsweeney

'some scientists have grave worries about the health implications associated with these networks'. And some 'scientists' believe in Creationism! See thread below on 'broadband'. Other areas have done this and to the best of my knowledge no-one in Scarborough has been microwaved (yet) ! As Howard points out, evening buses, especially at the weekend would be useful. Last night (Saturday) we saw Verdi's Requiem at Canterbury Cathedral. The train connection back would have taken over two hours and there was no bus service (there is to either Dover or Sandwich but nothing leaving after 18.30 to Deal) Needless to say I drove.
- Bob Frost

Point taken. We need urgently to improve transport locally. I met with a group of secondary school students this weekend who told me the same thing. Wi fi may be best for places like the Deal seafront and the port of Dover - i.e. hotspots?
- Charlie Elphicke

To be honest I consider the broadband for all debate a bit of a red herring. In general those who want broadband are in the main already connected. Those who don't are not really bothered about it and there are millions of people in that camp - and why not it's up to them in the end. Hotspots will not really solve any percieved problem if it means trudging up to the seafront or wherever in order to place an online bet or buy something on e-bay. It's a percieved problem which doesn't really exist in my mind. Sure it would be nice to have a fast connection but as I said earlier there are more important issues. For example it appears that energy bill will rise to five grand per year for the average consumer over the next ten years. Now that is what I call a real problem. People will die, make no mistake, if this becomes a reality which it appears it will be according to uswitch.
- Paul

Those who want Broadband should pay for it themselves. If you choose to live in a rural and cheaper area, then you should pay for the higher distribution costs of such services yourself, not lump it on the taxpayer.
- Damon

damon has hit the nail on the head. people choose where they live, we must all take the rough with the smooth.
- howard mcsweeney

Unfortunately the same is not true when it comes to the case of the BBC license fee. We are forced to pay a tax for this broadcasting outfit by mere virtue of owning a television. Very unfair in my opinion but people have been duped into believing that without the BBC our nation would fall apart. Leave it to the free market broadcasters and those who enjoy BBC propaganda will be able to access those sort of programmes via private media outlets who will no doubt cater to those tastes.
- Paul

Hi Bob, they are already, I believe. Clearly full details should be provided, like they will have to be for MPs. I think the concern is that MPs get an awful lot of money - for example in the last five years, Mr Prosser has had over £750,000 in expenses, over £91,000 in second home cash. This is a lot of money and people rightly want to see full receipts. It's public money and that should clearly happen. Likewise, I think all public money should be published when it's spent - what better way to stop those wasteful NHS "conferences" etc.? There is a real chance for seriously open Government here and we could really harness eagle eyed members of the public to cut unnecessary expenditure. I support that kind of thing fully. After all, you and I work so hard to earn this money we should know how it's spent!
- Charlie Elphicke

if i can add to the comments by chas. all expenses of district and town councillors are on the website of the organisation that they represent. i believe it is the same with county. they are also published once a year in our local papers.
- howard mcsweeney

Howard. Unfortunately there is no break-down of the expenses themselves. For example, looking at the DDC site on Travel and Subsistence, whilst many councillors claim nothing, others are claiming thousands of pounds (which seems odd as they are always going on about how they are improving public transport provision and cycle paths!). Having worked in the public sector, where receipts were needed for repayment of the smallest expenditure, I fail to see why our elected representatives should not provide an equally exact break-down of every penny of our money that they have spent.
- Bob Frost

In this internet age, I don't see why all expenditure should not be receipted and online. Likewise expenditure on just about everything in the public sector. My view is quite radical and I suspect many will not like this at all. Yet it's our money, so surely we should know how it's spent. We also need to rebuild trust across the board. Sunlight is the best disinfectant, as they say . . .
- Charlie Elphicke

Correction: Mr Prosser has received £619,113 of expenses in the last five years, not £750,000. The £91K figure for second home cash is correct.
- Charlie Elphicke

i do not think that the expenses claimed are excessive bob, but i take your point about receipts being provided before dosh is paid. chas i am gobsmacked,to use the vernacular, about the expenses of our sitting mp. i will have to make more enquiries before jumping to a conclusion.
- howard mcsweeney

there seems to be a lot of personalised stuff between gwyn and chas. pity really. i have studied the expenses of gwyn on his website, what are additional cost allowances and incidental expenses?
- howard mcsweeney

Charles, you have a home in Belgravia, London and another in Sandwich. Are we to take it that you will not be claiming a second home allowance if elected?
- Dave Smith

Additional costs allowance is the second home money. Incidental expenses is stationary, mobile phone bills, some staff and things like that, I believe. The incidental expenses and communications allowances have been attacked by some as an "incumbency allowance" as public money can be spent on surveys, leaflets and things like that. People can take their own view on that - I pay for myself or raise the money for my campaigning and I'm happy to take the system as I find it - the key thing is that people have a choice at elections and have the information they need to make a decision.
- Charlie Elphicke

Yes Howard, I do like Mr Prosser, yet his MO is to get personal and I expect that class war will be added in (see the post from "Dave Smith" which I am going to leave up since I have nothing to hide). When under pressure Mr Prosser will attack. That's his call and people can judge that for themselves. Hence his taking a post I wrote a year ago and suddenly claiming it as a smear. In fact, I feel and have long felt that all MPs should publish their expenses. A year on, the public now feel the same way. I'm not saying he has done wrong - just that he should publish and the people should know and be able to take their own view. As you know, I think publication should apply much more widely in the public sector. Our money is likely to be much better spent in such a case. What do you think?
- Charlie Elphicke

In reply to "Dave Smith", I don't have a home in Sandwich. I moved to Deal some years ago. I have a home in London, which I've had for many years. All these things I have paid for from my own hard earned money, at no cost to you or any other taxpayer. I have no objection to MPs claiming expenses to which they are entitled. I do think they should be published as was promised and I have said that time and again. It's up to people to come to their own conclusions on what expenses are reasonable, as it's taxpayer's money.
- Charlie Elphicke

In reply to "Charlie Elphicke". I'm suprised you even suggested deleting my comment as this is the forum on which you have invited questions and debate...disturbing response for somone advocating transparancy... As a Tory voter, this is not a trick question. Are you or are you not going to claim the second home allowance (or its equivlent replacement) if you are elected? Yes/ No answer is all that is required. .... assuming Prosser can provide the relevant receipts and is not claiming on some dodgy mortgage presumably you will have the decency to apologise for raising any suggestion that he has done something wrong. I doubt you will but I think you owe him that. But what I find troubling is your attitude going forward. You claim amongst other things to be radical and visionary in your thinking....but truth be it seems you are not You state "I'm happy to take the system as I find it " and "I have no objection to MPs claiming expenses to which they are entitled"- which I take to mean that had you been MP you would have claimed for whatever you could've under the then present system and will certainly do so under whatever revised system is put in place if elected. Your response suggests that you are more than happy to put your nose in the "trough" given half the chance and simply throw your hands up in the air and defend it on the basis that that is the system so how can it be your fault....the very same argument we are hearing from a host of immoral and "disgraceful" MPs on all sides of the House. What we want to see are MPs who are prepared to do the right thing and can look beyond the "system" as it is and as it will become. You have two homes (maybe more - who knows). You claim that they are yours and no burden to the taxpayer. Fine, you are not an MP, so the real question is will that always be the case Charlie if you are elected? And if the answer is you will claim such allowances, then I think you can stand down on your rather embarrassing attack against Prosser - he will have done nothing worse then what you claim you will do. You simply stand for the status quo and have engaged in rather pointless political mudslinging which makes you look stupid not Prosser. If you are going to represent the Tory party and the community let's hear the honest answers and changes for the future. PS which one have you advised HMRC is the home for CGT purposes, London or Deal? Are you prepared to give an assurance that during your term as an MP you will not flip your properties?
- Dave Smith

All are welcome here, even trolls. And the question is fair. I take the system as I find it as there is no choice. There is incumbency built into the current system by these expenses. I think the us anti democratic. We would scrap the communications allowance for example. Yet in office I would seek to reform the system. The second home allowance, the £4,000 Mr Prosser gets through in car money and the like should all go. Pay should be set by an independent body at a fair rate which should be accepted. That should deal with these problems. I have said Mr Prosser should publish for a long time. I don't understand why he has always refused to. And I don't know why he doesn't allow comments on his site. It's a real shame.
- Charlie Elphicke

chas makes a good point about personalised attacks. gwyn made another reference to you working in london. i remember before he used the term "go back to london"!!. being a born and bred londoner i found this rather offensive. not dissimilar to the "go back to pakistan" that we hear from some.
- howard mcsweeney

I don't mind Howard. I think it's quite funny really. We both have jobs that take us to London. The community is hard headed. People want someone who will deliver and will choose accordingly. Anyway people in glass houses should not throw stones. Every time he raises that he just reminds people that he us from further afield. So I think it's a daft thing to say. But up to him. Anyway I grew up in Essex ... There is a long standing affinity and shared viewpoint between those two noble counties and I've been in Kent a long time. I can play the "where are you from" game, indeed the facts are on my side, but I see it as a bit banal and I'd rather stick to the issues than personality nonsense. People don't want to hear all that rubbish. And what's important is that which is in your heart and what you will do, to my mind.
- Charlie Elphicke

Every MP has a choice as to which expenses he/ she wishes to claim for. That is the whole point of this debate being played out in the media as you well know. Some have perhaps "technically" been within the rules but the choice to claim is morally reprehensible and we all know it. What you are suggesting is "pay me more" and then I won't have to claim expenses and be scrutinised. You are saying "I will claim a second home allowance if I can whether it is by way of expenses or built into a salary increase or some other mechanism"...in other words (contrary to your earlier assertion) your houses/ lifestyle will become a burden to the taxpayer... An honest and clear answer on the point and your intentions was all that was being sought, but instead you dodge the question and publish what are clearly ridiculous and misleading statements as set out below: “Like the rest of the country, I am in shock - and absolutely disgusted by the whole thing. Heads should roll. I don't think the British people will accept anything less. I have said before and will say again - to serve is an honour and a vocation, not a living and a trough. The behaviour we have seen is shocking and utterly disgraceful. - Charlie Elphicke” Charlie, Charles, Chas you seem very happy to infer impropriety by the incumbent MP but unable/ unwilling to answer some fairly simple and fundamental questions for a prospective MP. “to serve is an honour and vocation” – No, I think we can see it is just a soundbite in your case. Instead it is you who chooses to come back to the "local" "non local debate" - but given you have been embroiled in the same topic in South Thanet, Witham and St Albans it is something you are clearly well versed on. http://conservativehome.blogs.com/goldlist/2006/11/witham_shortlis.html#comments I will leave you to have the final comment - suffice to say I do not believe you are an apporpriate representative for Deal and Dover or the Conservative Party
- Dave Smith

You can throw all you like at me. And by all means do. Here on this Conservative web site, we allow comments because we want to hear all views. And we answer letters and emails too! Now, you cannot get away from the fact that the reform I have set out is clear, fair and simple. Scrap the allowances and pay all MPs a flat rate set by an independent review body. All MPs expenses should be published with full receipts. Steve Ladyman MP next door in Thanet South now does that and I think it is right. People are asking why Mr Prosser won't. As for the local thing - I haven't run that as it is not my sort of politics and it smacks of the ugly racist politics of the BNP. But by all means, feel free develop that theme and good luck with it. Yet have a care for the facts are not on the Labour side and it will backfire badly. Just as I found in my canvassing this weekend that Mr Prosser suddenly raving on about my expenses blog of a year ago has backfired badly on him. Howard is right - there is a sort of ugly racist undertone in running that line which does the Labour Party no credit. I do think the Dover Labour Party is increasingly extreme and risks a doing a Crewe and Nantwich. That would be a pity as voters do deserve a choice at the next election. Finally, of course no Labour activist thinks I'm the ideal Conservative candidate - I clearly wouldn't be doing my job properly if they did!
- Charlie Elphicke

tomorrows telegraph features two of our local honourable members in starring roles. could be interesting.
- howard mcsweeney

Charlie, I have just read all the above comments with interest. Please can you let me have your views on the current salaries for MPs and ministers (excluding expenses). Do you think they are adequate as they stand or would you vote for an increase.
- Lesley Daley

Part of the problem is that politicians have voted for their own salary. That's not attractive. Far better for the salary to be set by an independent body. It must be right that MPs should get a fair day's pay for a fair day's work and that level should be set independently, as it is for other public servants. So in direct answer to Lesley's question, favour an independent body deciding. What do people think of this idea?
- Charlie Elphicke

Charlie, can you please explain to your prospective constituents exactly what or who you consider a troll? Is it somebody who you consider holds odd views, or disagrees with your position on things? I've noticed you have refered to trolls on your website without telling us what your interpretation of a troll is. I have to say that in my experience the term troll is used by those who use this perjorative term in order to eliminate the views held by people who might feel stronly about something. One other thing, isn't the term a bit old fashioned now? Come on Charlie tell us what is a troll?
- Paul

Hi Paul - see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troll_(Internet) for a detailed explanation of the term. Basically, it's when someone turns up to have a bit of a pop - see some of the comments above for what I mean. I'm quite relaxed though - I haven't deleted any comments so far. There is a clear policy on this in the Rules, yet I would only implement that if things got out of hand!
- Charlie Elphicke

funny old term, troll. i cannot get on with internet geekspeak or txttlk. i thought that a troll was a dwarf from german fokelore.
- howard mcsweeney

Charlie, I note that Gwyn, last year, submitted an expenses claim for £769.63 to cover the costs of preparing his tax return for the financial year that ended in 2007 with H W Fisher,(he's used them twice). Whilst I am surprised that Gwyn needs an accountant to sort out his tax return, and shocked that he should expect the tax payer to pay for the service, I am especially disturbed that he found it necessary to use a London firm of accountants. Surely there are local firms who might have benefited from the 'work'???
- Bob Frost

Bob, I am much more concerned about the big TV, creaking table fulls of food, the knives, forks, toaster, armchair, houseplants and the washing machine he bought tax free on the public ticket. The average family is struggling with those things right now and it will make their blood boil. I suspect you must have read the East Kent Mercury, as they do try - and have indeed tried hard on this occasion - to assist Mr Prosser. And as you can see from this list, the tax return is quite simply a red herring given the way the expenses have been used. If you want the full details you need to read the Deal and Sandwich Express which will give you the full and accurate story. I did think about putting the cuttings on a leaflet and sending it round so people in Deal would hear the truth of it. But then, you know, I've had enough of it all now and I prefer to focus on moving things ahead and talking about the things that we need for the future than troughers of the past. So I'm going to stick with that and focus on healthcare, jobs, money and helping familes through these difficult times. If you are keen to keep this discussion going, I suggest you start of new Chat thread as this is now very long and not many people will get this far!
- Charlie Elphicke

I think our county council candidates are concerned by people cycling on pavements frequently in Deal. My worry is the split pedestrian / cycle path on Walmer beach. I am forever having to rescue my 2 year old son from an imminent squashing! I am not entirely convinced by this "shared space" thing!!!
- Charlie Elphicke

best not to hold ones breath on this one. cycling on pavements has always been illegal, the labour government added a "new law " saying the same thing about 10 years ago. charlie mentions the word "concern", is that good enough.? i would hate to see either a 2 year old or an 80 year old squashed.
- howard mcsweeney

I saw two teenage youths and a man who appeared in his 30's cycling down the High street pavement in Dover scattering shoppers in various directions. That was bad enough but a policeman watched from the opposite side of the road and did nothing - not even make a call on his radio phone strapped to his tunic. But then I suppose the enormous amount of paperwork involved would be a deterrent to reporting such an offence!
- Paul Youden

When I was a youngster back in the mid fifties riding a bike without lights plus other faults was an offence on its own and the police in those days were always pulling you over for this. Also riding on pavements and the wrong way up a one way streets etc goes on everywere now Canterbury being one of the worst Towns in Kent for this I have already had one bumped into myself over there. The Police are never about enough or are not bothered to do anything about it when they see it happening I go into my own Town of Dover quite a lot and you see it happening every day. Please see the latest Incident of this offence in this weeks Dover paper.
- Vic Kerry

Well . . . there is a lot of traffic. There have been thousands of visitors. I think many people are interested and having a look but not yet wanting to post and ask questions as there is not an actual election on yet. There are many more posts here than on most other political type websites. Also, this kind of thing - people in public life being very accessible and all that - is new for our area. So I hope you'll tell people it's worth posting here to discuss things and that that Elphicke bloke replies to posts, comments and letters!!!
- Charlie Elphicke

it just seems strange to me that people nowadays have access from their own living room direct to their leaders and do not take advantage of it. the present mp gwyn prosser holds court outside the town council offices on one saturday morning a month, so many people put their head down and go past, later complaining that they never hear from their MP. the excellent dover forum has a politics section, sadly it turns into a punch and judy session sometimes with posters trying to score points. best of luck with this site.
- howard mcsweeney

I have been away for a few days . . . I agree that the Dover Forum is excellent. And I agree that people on it can get a bit partisan as you say. That's not really my thing. I'm much more into what we can do to sort things out practically!
- Charlie Elphicke

good to see you out canvassing the other day in maison dieu road on saturday chas. did you get much flak from the locals about our elected representatives and their petty cash claims?
- howard mcsweeney

Like the rest of the country, I am in shock - and absolutely disgusted by the whole thing. Heads should roll. I don't think the British people will accept anything less. I have said before and will say again - to serve is an honour and a vocation, not a living and a trough. The behaviour we have seen is shocking and utterly disgraceful.
- Charlie Elphicke

It might be useful if the individual posts on here were dated - I have just started visiting and it would be helpful to see how new/old the comments are.
- Bern

You do enjoy asking the hardest questions Howard! I believe in free trade and the free movement of goods. I am not convinced by the free movement of people. We need to get the balance right and there is widespread concern expressed to me about the number of people from overseas. This concern that is raised with me is not about hating "different" people and all that - it is thoughtful concern about the current economic situation ("we'd love to help, but we can't afford it right now"), concern about pressure on public services and housing allocation, as well as concern that more and more of our green and pleasant land is lost to houses needed for an increase in population. I cannnot ignore the concerns expressed to me and I conclude there have to be limits, there has to be proper border security and that we need to look again at how we manage things with the EU. My own big worry is that there are millions in the UK already on benefits who do not work. They could and should - at least when the economy is stronger again - and it's just not right that government allows people to fail and not realise their potential. It's not right we use workers from overseas as sticking plaster rather than putting our house in order and unleashing the potential of the army of workless people we have. It's not right that politicians shirk this whole discussion for fear of offence, when there are big and serious issues that need to be settled and not swept under the carpet. I'd be interested to know what you think.
- Charlie Elphicke

it does seem ludicrous that so many people elect not to join in with society and contribute very little during their lives. i sincerely believe that there is no answer!! people say to me, cut their benefits, but this would affect the dependants, possibly encouraging the dodger to indulge in petty crime. another one is to give vouchers for food instead of cash. a non starter, this was tried on refugees and asylum seekers who would exchange in a normal supermarket that sells more things than food alone. stop benefits if a job offer is turned down? any self respecting skiver would know that when completing the application form that asks for hobbies or interests, playing with matches and paraffin would be inserted. should an interview ever take place, the interviewee will arrive in a hoody, cigarette dangling from mouth, smelling of alcohol and muttering expletives. incidentally chas, you did not cover the subject of the present migration for construction and project works in your reply. please be assured that the BNP have got heavily involved in disputes and are seen as the only party interested in the british worker.
- howard mcsweeney

If it was easy, it would have been solved long ago! Strong incentives, with easily accessible and free skills training is one way forward. The reason it's not easy is that you can lead a horse to water but not make it drink. Cutting payments will breed resentment, but not necessarily encourage people to get into work. Much of this agenda will need to be cultural to my mind - making work respectable and "good", making unemployment a "bad thing". Now is a difficult time as the issue is more how to keep people in the jobs they have, than get people out of work into work. But once things are on the turn, this cultural shift will be necessary for the good of the nation. It is simply not right that there are 5 million - some 8,000 locally - who don't work yet could. All the numbers show that the result is poverty, lower life expectancy, increased mental illness and misery. To me this is an intolerable turn of events. Allowing this to happen and doing nothing about it is, to my mind, a crime against the potential and life chances of a great number of people. On the whole issue of construction jobs and so on, I think there have to be limits - otherwise we will never be forced to focus on the long term workless which is a serious national challenge and something I feel deeply we must do for the good of all. I also think we need to be careful with our language as this is a sensitive area and the serious intent can be misinterpreted for "dog whistle" politics which it is certainly not in my case. Rather than beat people up, we should point to the sunny uplands. I view this as about money, life chances, making the country richer and stronger, ensuring everyone gets a fair crack at doing well - most of all putting an end to this business where we wrongly seem to write off people out of work. I hope my deeply held, sincere concern and desire for change will not be used to beat me up as some kind of 1980s machine politician!!
- Charlie Elphicke

thanks for that, the problem started in the early eighties(no political point being made), but that was a period of mass unemployment not seen since the thirties. children got used to seeing neither parent go out to work, naturally they just carried this on. a genuine attempt to change this culture came with the advent of the tax credit system, this finally gave the long term genuine jobless a craving to go out to work , the rewards were clear. sadly the system was and is very confusing, mistakes are frequently made, people are asked to repay overpayments that were made through no fault of their own. skills training is not the panacea it is meant to be, the training providers usually get recompensed when a student passes a test, the training provider sets and marks the test!! interesting debate though.
- howard mcsweeney

the problem has raised its head again . strikes have broken out over the employment of foreign workers when locals do not have a chance to apply for the positions. i believe that this will affect the vote of the major parties along with more recent issues on june the 4th. counties will not be strongly affected, but the european elections will with every vote counting. a lot of people will be staying up late that night to see the look on the faces of messrs brown and cameron when the results start to filter through.
- howard mcsweeney

Above my pay grade Howard - it's one for the councillors. I understand all councillors of all parties support this. That said, I can understand this for the Olympics ... But 15 years seems a very long time. I'd be interested to hear more on what everyone else makes of it.
- Charlie Elphicke

thanks for reply chas, would you be kind enough to delete my other 3 posts, they came across as rejected by your website, hence the apparent stutter.
- howard mcsweeney

Done. There were only two. I don't like to delete legit posts unless asked, as this is a place for free opinions. Well, except for the late night troll that likes to post abuse . . . those posts get deleted for breaking the rules!
- Charlie Elphicke

Charlie I was informed by a local who lives in the Dover Market Square Area that this massive screen that is now in use has been Susidised by our National Health Trust Fund.? Is this correct.
- Vic Kerry

Thanks for pointing this out Richard. It's a particular problem in our area. You can't get broadband in places like Tilmanstone at all, residents of Kingsdown and St Margaret's are fed up with French mobile phone reception and (possibly worse!) French telly. Large areas suffer from slow broadband or mobile phone blackouts. This information deprivation is not acceptable as we need to be fully paid up members of the 21st Century. I've been thinking about things like village Wi-Fi and would be really interested to hear comments and views on what practically can be done.
- Charlie Elphicke

Have a look at these links Charlie to see what can be done:- http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/news.phtml/14281/scarborough-launches-free-freebay-wi-fi.phtml http://www.silicon.com/publicsector/0,3800010403,39270781,00.htm Free wi-fi access for Deal town would generate loads of free publicity, put Deal at the 'cutting edge' of technology and provide a (not quite) unique selling point for the town.
- Bob Frost

Thanks Bob. I really appreciate that. I will take that up and see if it can be moved ahead.
- Charlie Elphicke

So do I Nigel - I will make enquiries of the Borders Agency that they have everything in place to secure against human trafficking and the other illegal practices that go on. Border Security is essential for us all. I'm over the moon the new service is now starting. More jobs and money in these difficult times is a real boost for Dover!
- Charlie Elphicke

Charlie A much better prospect for the area would be to re-open a Folkestone to Boulogne Service like it used to be I used to Sail from there when working on the Ferries back in pre 1991 until being made Redundant due to James Sherwood selling off the original British Rail Company to the Swedes Since then Folkestone Harbour has become nothing but a run down area. This all stems back to the Conservative Goverment in Margeret Thatchers day introducing Privatisation and selling British Rail Ferries off to Sherwood. At a paltry sum of sixty five million then making a massive profit and re-selling it for three hundred million.
- Vic Kerry

There is no point in starting up crossings that no one would use. The new line out of dover will bring more to the town.
- Gary Rigden

do you actually mean the two roads to st margarets that lead off of the dover/deal road? if so, i would heartily concur, there has been 2 fatalities to my knowledge in recent years.
- howard mcsweeney

Yes indeed, that's what I do mean. Sorry I wasn't clear. It's a no-brainer really
- Sue M Thomas

Howard, it's a major concern to me. One third of people who responded to my recent survey said they have personally experienced anti social behaviour. I will make enquiries on the issue you raise. Thanks for telling me about it. Charlie
- Charlie Elphicke

If you can give me more details,I can also make enquiries. I do know that every report is investigated by the ASB unit,but sadly for every report there may not be a soloution. Lat month there were 29 reports of ASB reported to the unit which only have 2.5 members of staff,and all reports have been investigated with most of those being resolved. However,as I said,please do give me the details and I will ask some questions on your behalf.
- Cllr Julie Rook

thanks for your reply julie, i will dig out the ddc reference numbers and get back to you, will make it more simplified that way. howard
- howard mcsweeney

julie have dug back in my records, the incident happened on 24/7/2008, i reported it by e mail straightaway. i received an automated response(no reference no; unhappily) but timed at 0758 hours 26/7/2008 informing me that it may take 10 working days to get a reply. having got none, i rang the direct number on a few occassions and left a message on the answering machine. the thing that people have noticed is that all the adverts requesting people "not to put up with anti-social behaviour" disappeared around the same time. i can assure you that my one was not investigated.
- howard mcsweeney

what did your investigations uncover julie?
- howard mcsweeney

it would appear that i was right all along, the asbo unit doesn't exist.
- howard mcsweeney

Can vouch for this. One such vehicle appears to permanenttly occupy one of the first "free" Parking slots north of the Pier.
- Paul Button

I think it is right that Motorhomes can park temporarily on the sea front whilst awaiting their ferry. In France motorhomes are catered for everywhere and the French welcome the trade that holiday makers bring. Wake up Dover and welcome visitors, god knows the town needs the trade. Most motorhome owners are considerate obviously the two in question here are not. Don't judge us all by the minority of selfish people!
- Sue Glanville

Paul, You and a lot of people feel strongly about this and you will be interested to know that the proposed cycle path in Sholden did not get the approval to go ahead at the JTB meeting last night
- Trevor Bond

Have not seen any flats at the top of Farrier Street but there's a 'pile' called Prince William Court that is totally out of keeping with the sea front. What about the now closed 'bingo hall' on the seafront- ripe for 'development' but I hope its not going to be another block of flats. Any chance of a bulldozer over the bomb site at the top of Braod Street
- John

Thanks for raising this Clair. I agree it's a complete nightmare - I spent much of today on it trying to dodge flying stones and potholes! The safety on this road has been a serious concern and cross party we've all been pressing KCC to take action - which they are now doing to make it safer. Personally I'd love to dual it, but among residents of Deal annd Walmer there is not enough of a consensus for that. Hence of more limited upgrade and safety scheme. What I've been looking at with our team of councillors is whether the A256 can be connected up at Mill Hill or Sholden. Please let me know more about what you think. The quality of the roads into Deal has a big effect on the local economy, so it's a serious concern to us all.
- Charlie Elphicke

I totally agree Anita, you have to take your life in your hands at the roundabout, not helped by the HGV drivers.
- Clair

Ridiculous idea!!!!!Think about the William Harvey Hospital roundabout in Ashford and the congestion the lights cause. When they are non operational traffic flow is much better. Rather create a mini roundabout at the Eythorne/Elvington turning to encourage traffic to use the by pass thus reducing congestion at the Whitfield roundabout. Most of the dangers at this roundabout are caused by motorists dithering around it and entering it!
- Sue Glanville

Would be better if the HGV drivers could drive !!. And stay in the correct lane. My advice is treat them all with the utmost caution,
- Gary Rigden

Of all the subjects commented upon which I have read so far, this is the one of those which disturb me most - it seems to me that if one has nothing to hide which is irregular or inappropriate, or even if one is not sure whether it is irregular or inappropriate, then declare it. Julie Rook is right. Come clean. We, their paymasters/mistresses have a right to know. Very topical, in the light of the House of Lords current controversy.
- Sydney

It is essential that David Cameron makes sure that all Conservatives are cleaner than clean. The general view is that most MPs have their snouts in the trough
- Geoffrey

I can only speak for myself - I would publish in full if I was a MP and give a full and open account. However, I do wonder if it would be better simply to increase the basic pay and axe all expenses. Less of a temptation and a lot simpler all round. I'd be interested to know what people think.
- Charlie Elphicke

Woolworth's,Adam's,Viyella,Wedgwood,Land Rover.The list seems never ending.A day can't go by without the announcement of yet more job losses.Big business in this country is suffering as well as the small and medium size ones we see on every high street,so why cant the government adopt the Conservative loan guarantee scheme and extend it to all business and industry,large or small? I also suspect that labour's scheme will be so bureaucratic that small and medium sized business will either not know about it or know how to access it as many are not fortunate enough to have a team of accountants advising them.Business needs credit to start flowing again and payment holidays to HMRC.Business needs stupid laws and diktats that govern the way businesses have to be run,repealed.Business, and the consumer,needs less taxation,not more.Only then,I believe,will our economy start to repair itself.
- Cllr Julie Rook

I feel Deal is still busy compared with some other towns in East Kent. We have lots of little shops, a Saturday market and still some chains. Don't talk it down. Support those shops we have. - a lovely bakery a great craft/knitting shop and lots more.
- Janet

If only the council had a tad of vision for our town. How about spending Deal tax payers money on Deal? It's a great little town that has been so neglected
- John

By my latest count we have lost approx 20 shops since August last year! (Off the top of my head starting from Sondes Rd - Haberdashery, Joem Gallery, Hoyles, Greengrocer, Johnnsons drycleaners, Woolworths, Scarpe, Martins, Select, curtain shop, Laughtons, etc. And on the seafront - Bait shop, Dance shop, Wedding dress shop, Antique shop). It seems that each time I walk along the high street yet another shop has closed. Perhaps the council could look at helping small businesses with a review of their rates and landlords/agents could look at reducing rents etc? Surely there must be some way of helping to 'Save Our High Street'? It is such a shame to lose our local shops which add variety to our high street. I fear that once gone they are lost forever... On another subject, as a resident I would like the council to do something about the dreadful state of the road surfaces in Walmer and Deal. Many roads have so many potholes now that it is becoming hazardous to drive around locally. And my pet hate - Campervans on the seafront. I have had one parked outside my home and blocking my view for 8 months(!!!!) The owner of this van arrives, every month or so, in his car, gets out, checks his van and then drives off. If he loves his van so much - park it outside his home. What can we do about this? The parish council say we have no "right to a view". Since Marine Rd got its "No van" status residents along The Beach have noticed an increase in the problem. Last summer we had 10s of Campervans parked along the front! It was muted that we would be given "no van" status but we have been severly let down by the council and feel very agrieved. We would be grateful for any help in resolving this situation.
- Karen

Deal is dying! I believe abolishing parking charges in Deal would go a long way towards reviving it! The £2 charge to park at Sainsburys is outrageous. I was there twice this week at around 16.30 and could NOT believe how empty the carpark was. I commented on this to one of the checkout clerks and she said it's like that all the time and she wasn't surprised due to how expensive it is. I lobbied Dover District Council about this and was given a load of old tosh about if I pay for two hours parking, I can then go and look at other shops in the town. The question is: 'what other shops?' I so miss Currys and Woolies!
- Sue Thomas

Listening to what everyone has said highlights the level of concern for our high streets and the local economy. I have therefore launched a campaign to back our local economy and will be doing a survey to ask what would encourage people to use our high streets more. See the Local News section for more. We have so much in our part of East Kent - making the most of what we have and building on it, we will be able to achieve even more!
- Charlie Elphicke

Agree. Surely areas with a low crime rate should attract lower levels of council tax because they are not such a financial burden?
- Sylvia

Since 1997, most peoples' council taxes have more than doubled and now they want to tax us more for rubbish collection? This is preposterous. Where has all the money paid in council tax increases gone? Poor investments? Boosting the Euro coffers? Public sector pensions? The mind boggles. The poor man suffers.
- Sylvia

I fear that recycling levels will decrease if such a tax is imposed upon us, as there will be a lack of good will for us to separate our rubbish and 'do our bit'. If we are paying an additional amount for the service, why should people be expected to sort the materials as well!
- Clair

Congratulations on the new web sight and chat facility, lets return openness to Government. Does Manston Airport need expanding to be better utilised? Lets get some more passenger flights in and out first.
- Rich Pay

i think most people would agree with the regeneration plans that chas has outlined, however the new docks being planned? lot of local doubt there. the plans from Mr goldwatch at the harbour board involve chopping away most of the prince of wales pier, concreting over the marina, a lot of our remaining beaches would go. their can be no consultation over this, DHB have carte blanche over what they do.
- howard mcsweeney

Intermediate care beds Sue, that is what is urgently needed with more people living alone and an aging population. The Hospitals Trust needs to work with the PCT to deliver.
- Nigel Collor

We need to keep a careful eye on Victoria hospital in Deal.The PCT have indicated that Deal hospital will be changed and will mirror the Dover model which means no beds. We are all living longer.Care beds are hard to come by.Deal hospital already has to extend its offer of beds to the whole district rather than just to the people of Deal and now it seems all the beds may be lost at our precious hospital.We need more services in Deal.Not less!
- Julie Rook

Isn't it awful when you dread your relatives becoming ill in case they have to endure the worst of the NHS? By worst, I mean unclean wards, lack of resources, poor communication etc which could ultimately lead to untimely deaths. Anything we can do to make our hospitals safer for vulnerable patients must surely be a priority. Often old people are at the complete mercy of their carers. These old people looked after us in WW2 and paid their taxes until recently. We must now look after them as best we can and ensure they retain their dignity which is so important to them.
- Sylvia

I agree. The gritting lorry got stuck when trying to come down Upper Street the other week due to parked cars. This puts everyone in danger.
- Julia

I am sure this has been looked at before, but why can't we have a one way system around Upper Strreet/Chalk Hill Road/The Rise?
- Sylvia

As an outsider, Beaconsfield constituency, I have to say I think you should persuade Central Office to make your website design and the facility of your constituency being able to interact with you mandatory for all Tory MP's. It is amazing that it has not already been implemented as it is the way for the party to talk to the electorate on a one to one.
- Richard Calhoun