News | Elections
From left, Labour candidate Allen Simpson, Conservative Helen Whately, Lib Dems’ Jasper Gerrard and the Greens’ Tim Valentine It is all to play for at national poll
AS Britain enters the final month in the run-up to the 2015 general election on May 7 the gloves are off, with everything to fight for.
Never in the history of British pol-
itics has the field been so wide open. Even in Maidstone, which has his- torically had a strong Lib Dem con- tingent vying with the Conservatives on the borough coun- cil, challenges are coming in on all sides – from Labour, Ukip, the Greens, even from a retired GP, Dr Paul Hobdaywhois fighting for the National Health Action Party. Helen Grant is facing a fierce bat-
tle for her seat in Maidstone and the Weald, which she won five years ago after the retirement of Tory stal- wart AnnWiddecombe. The Lib Dems’ Jasper Gerrard
quit his day job almost two years ago to campaign relentlessly for the seat, uprooting his family to live in the borough, while Labour likewise has played its ace card by fielding a former Maidstone Grammar School
pupil, politics graduate Allen Simp- son.
Ukip’s Eddie Powell, elected to Maidstone Council for the first time last year, has already made a name for himself fighting for the elec- torate, particularly on the thorny topic of the borough’s draft local plan, and now hopes his supporters will act as a launch pad towards a career in parliament. Meanwhile, Dr Hobday, whose retirement was prompted by what he calls the “commercialisation of theNHS”, hopes themany residents whocomplain relentlessly about the state of the health service will join him in fighting against the Govern- ment’sNHSreforms and a return to Nye Bevan’s founding principles. Youth worker Hannah Patton (28)
hopes to win the youth vote for the Greens, campaigning on environ-
mental issues such as anti-fracking and for changes in education. In Faversham&MidKent, Helen Whately is campaigning to take over the Conservative stronghold previously held by SirHughRobert- son. Considered a safe Tory seat, with a majority of more than 17,000, Liberal Democrat Dave Naghi is hoping to be a serious contender in his third bid to get elected in the constituency. Maidstone borough Cllr Naghi nudged the party into second place in 2010, 1,500 votes ahead of the Labour candidate and 7,500 votes ahead of UKIP. Ukip has never posed a serious
threat but this year, with its new- found popularity, the party expects to increase its support, fielding can- didate Peter Edwards-Daem. For Labour, Hackney borough
Candidates’ pre-election debate ALL seven parliamentary candidates forMaidstone and theWeald are to take part in a live debate in Maidstone. The pre-election event, organised by the countryside protection char-
ity CPRE is at Oakwood House from 7pm-9pm, on Tuesday, April 28. Those taking part include: Helen Grant (Con), Jasper Gerard (Lib Dem),
Eddie Powell (Ukip), Hannah Patton (Green), Dr Paul Hobday (National Health Action Party), Allen Simpson (Lab) and Steve Uncles (Eng Dem). To book, go to
eventbrite.co.uk/event/16142760431.
22 Maidstone South April 2015
Allington: Barry Ginley (Con); Marianna Poliszczuk (Lab); Eddie Powell (Ukip); Cynthia Robertson* (LD) Bearsted: Ciaron Oliver (Green); Sarah Petit (Ukip); Geoff Samme (LD);Val Springett* (Con) Boxley: Malcolm Greer* (Con); Michelle Hastie (LD); Jim Shalice (Green); Jacqui Wardle (Ukip) Coxheath & Hunton: Angela Austin (Ukip); Patrick Coates (Lab); Fred Lawrence (Con); Mike Summersgill (Green); Richard Webb (LD) Detling & Thurnham: Peter Horler (Ukip); John Watson (LD); Nick de Wiggondene* (Con) Downswood & Otham: Matt Boughton (Con); Elaine Boylett (Green); Michael Harris (Ukip); Gordon Newton* (Ind) East: Richard Coates (Lab); Tony Dennison (Con); Gareth Kendall (Ukip); Dave Naghi* (LD); Hannah Patton (Green) Fant: Alistair Black* (Con); Elliot Dean (Lab); Rosaline Janko (LD); Ian McDonald (Green); Colin Taylor (Ukip) Harrietsham & Lenham: Steve Clarke (LD); Patrik Garten (Con); Tom Sams* (Ind); Mike Williams (Ukip) High Street: Jackie Hemsted (Ukip); Gareth Phillips (Green); Stella Randall
councillor Michael Desmond is hoping to catch the commuter vote by calling for reduced rail fares. He is also opposed to commercial de- velopment at M20 J8 and wants to see increased funding for schools. Flying the flag for the Greens is
Tim Valentine. Forensic psycholo- gist and expert witness Tim pas- sionately wants to save local NHS services, make the minimum wage a livingwage and protect local peo- ple from the fracking industry. Faversham and Mid Kent has al-
ways attracted a candidate from the Monster Raving Loony Party –Nor- man Davidson – but as we went to press he did not appear to want to run the risk of losing his deposit this year.
EIGHTEEN borough council seats are also up on May 7. See below and right for details.
LIST OF BOROUGH COUNCIL CANDIDATES SO FAR
(Lab); Sam Watkin (Con); Fran Wilson* (LD) Leeds: Georgia Dallas (LD); Gillian Fort (Con); Daniel Williams (Ukip) Loose: Sue Grigg* (LD); Abigail Hogg (Con); Anthony Richie (Ukip) Marden & Yalding: Annabelle Blackmore* (Con); Edith Davis (Lab); Rachel Hill (LD); Robert Millar (Green); Pam Watts (Ukip) North: Keith Adkinson (Lab); Charles El- liott (Ukip); Donna Greenan (Green); Tommy Long* (LD); Mike Hemsley (Con) Park Wood: Peter Edwards-Daem; (Ukip); Sam Roach (LD); Geoff Licence (Ind) Shepway North: Milden Choongo (LD); Steve Muggeridge (Green); Marion Ring* (Con); Mike Wardle (Ukip) South: John Barned (Ukip); Brian Clark (LD); Mike Hogg* (Con); Wendy Hollands (Lab); Guy Tanner (Green) Staplehurst: Louise Brice (Con); David George (Green); Nick Goddard (Ukip); John Randall (Lab); Andrew Watson (LD) Sutton Valence & Langley: Derek Eagle (Green); Emily Fermor (LD); Alan Knight (Ukip); Paulina Stockell* (Con) * denotes sitting councillor This list was compiled before close of nominations on April 9.
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