County town has rich vein of MPs MailMarks
THE Maidstone area has been served by members of parlia- ment since 1552, but it has never enjoyed such a rich vein as now. Both MPs who represent the borough – Hugh Robertson (Mid Kent) and Helen Grant (Maid- stone and The Weald) – have new government appointments and hold high-profile ministerial offices. Helen’s progress has been particularly remarkable and within three years of re- taining Ann Widdecombe’s seat, she has been appointed to three ministerial roles. She now holds two, adding Minister of Sport (with tourism, gambling and Big Lottery) to her equalities role. Hugh did not have to pass the athletic
baton far to Helen when he was promoted from Minister of Sport to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. He could have done it at The Mote CC ground, which borders the two constituencies. I was surprised by the announcement,
but delighted that Helen’s talents, pas- sions and dedication had been rewarded with an office so significant and high-pro- file for our sport-loving nation. Her mod- est childhood and youthful sporting achievements have been highlighted in many national publications since the big news broke. I worked closely with Helen for months
when we led the MASH campaign (I chair Maidstone Action for Services in Hospi- tal) to retain women’s and children’s serv- ices in Maidstone. It is not easy taking on government pol-
icy, the Health Secretary and the local NHS trust, but the people of Maidstone put up a magnificent fight, which turned against us on a final decision by the then
TWO tractor batteries were stolen from Coldharbour Farm in Coldharbour Lane, Thurn- ham. A suspect was seen driv- ing off in a white Ford Escort van.
The fog lights were stolen from a silver Audi parked on a driveway in The Landway, Bearsted.
A ladder was stolen from a white Citroen Dispatch van in Bournewood Close, Downswood.
The exhaust system, includ- ing the catalytic converter, was stolen from a white Mercedes Sprinter van on the driveway of a home in The Landway, Bearsted.
Intruders tried to get in to the church in Church Lane, Stockbury, causing damage. A white Ford Transit tip- per/flatbed truck, registration number NM08 PYG, was stolen from the roadside at junction 8 of the M20. Animal feed and a harness were stolen from an outbuild- ing in Upper Street, Broom- field, but all were later recovered. The suspects are said to be a white man in his late 50s, about 5ft 8ins tall, with untidy grey hair and stubble, and a boy aged about 13, who was about 5ft tall and
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Health Secretary Andrew Lansley. Helen was at the heart of the fight and
was warned publicly by Tory MPs about how she, as a novice MP, jeopardised her political future by aggressive lobbying of Mr Lansley. I never saw it that way. Good MPs need
many qualities. They must understand the battleground and fight a cause with dedi- cation, charm and courage. These qualities stood Helen in good
stead then – and she needs them in chal- lenges ahead. How far and quickly can her star ascend? If she does as well as Hugh as Minister of Sport who knows? She is only 52, and retains the youthful enthusiasm of a talented young sportswoman. Her aims make interesting reading, es- pecially promoting how sport empowers social mobility – part of her own story. Lord Coe paid fulsome tribute to Hugh
as Minister of Sport. Seb Coewould know because they were such big players in the London Olympics. He is now Minister of State with responsibility for the Middle East, North Africa and counter terrorism. He told me he could not give too much
detail about the last of those duties “for obvious reasons”, but explained: “I amthe minister in charge of foreign and com- monwealth office counter-terrorism de- partment. It looks after our overseas intelligence agencies and any incidents re- lating to terrorism affecting British citi-
zens abroad.” This role is far removed from Minister of Sport. He won his spurs in that office. At 51, Hugh too is a young, but experienced politician.Watch this space!
Maidstone needs Fran MAIDSTONE’S Lib Dems have
been through a turbulent few months, with a small but more
militant faction making much political noise. The long-standing Lib Dem leader on Maidstone Council, Cllr FranWilson, was unhappy with some of their statements and emerging campaigns and tried to con- trol them. This came to a headwhen she offered to
resign both as leader and from the coun- cil. That triggered a major group meeting when she received an “overwhelming vote of confidence”. This has established her position as
leader very strongly – and will influence all Lib Dem thinking, including in the constituency. Fran is at the heart of the Lib Dems in Maidstone, and has been for many years. She, the late Malcolm Robertson, Peter Hooper,Mick Stevens and Dan Daley built a successful and respected Lib Dem team. I have always seen it asmostly balanced
and playing a sound role in the council. Had Fran quit, I fear her determination that Lib Dems should “never compromise on integrity and the truth” would have been endangered. Policies must be formed for the good of Maidstone – not to win an election seat. Running Maidstone Council just now is mightily tough. We need the right people in power and opposition.
Beat the criminals IF YOU CAN HELP, PLEASE PHONE: Police: 101 Crimestoppers: 0800 555 111
had cropped hair. He was wearing a hooded jacket with white trim, dark trousers and was carrying a red crowbar. Also with them was a white man in his late 20s who was 5ft 8ins tall and wearing a grey hoodie. They were driving a silver 51-registered Ford Ka
Intruders stole cash
from a premises in Cross Street, Maid- stone. A wheelbarrow was stolen
from a paddock in Otham Street, Otham. A quantity of copper was stolen from Downs Oak Stud, West Street, Harrietsham. The suspects, who were seen on CCTV, are thought to be two white men in their mid 20s. One is about 5ft 11ins, with dark brown hair. He was wear- ing light tracksuit trousers, a dark hooded top and trainers, and a high visibility waistcoat. The second was about 5ft
11ins with dark brown hair, and was wearing a dark top and trainers and a high visibil- ity waistcoat. A recent delivery of heating oil was stolen from a tank in a garden in Old Ham Lane, Lenham. There was an at- tempted burglary at a property in Hock- ers Lane, Detling. There was a bur-
glary at a property in Eyhorne Street, Holling-
bourne. Two vehicle batteries were stolen from a garden in Rum- stead Lane, Stockbury. Thieves took a chainsaw,
Bosch drill and strimmer from a shed in South Street Road, Stockbury. There was an attempted bur-
glary at a property and shed in Tydeman Road, Bearsted. There was a burglary at a property in Cheviot Gardens, Downswood. The suspects are thought to be two white Euro-
pean men. One was aged in his 40s, 5ft 8ins and stocky, with short light brown hair. He was wearing black trousers, a blue jacket and a camel-coloured hat with flaps. The other was said to be in his early 20s, 5ft 7ins, and of medium build with short brown hair. He was wearing a dark shell suit jacket and jogging trousers.
Computer equipment was stolen from a home in High Street, Lenham.
Cosmetics were stolen from Lloyds Pharmacy in Grove- wood Drive, Grove Green. A Vauxhall Combo van parked in the layby near the Running Horse in Sandling Lane, Sandling, was broken in to and sports equipment and power tools were stolen.
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