News
Local MPs set to gain bigger poll majorities
ALLour localMPswill be returned at the next general election with en- hanced majorities, according to new polling data. The respected independent Elec-
toral Calculus (EC) has crunched polls, analysis and trends to show some hefty increases in majorities for the Conservative members. The biggest beneficiary will be Tracey Crouch in Chatham and Aylesford, whose 11,455 majority could jump by more than 8%. Helen Whately in Faversham and
Mid Kent might enjoy a 4%uplift on her 16,652 majority while Tonbridge and Malling MP Tom Tugendhat could see a 3.6% increase on his 23,734 advantage. Maidstone andWeald MP Helen Grant’s majority of 10,709 might see a 1.1% rise in a national poll. Most political observers treat polling with some caution, not least after inaccurate predictions prior to the 2015 general election and theEU referendum last summer. But parties treat EC as a fair fore-
cast as a national poll of polls, al- though it does not take into account
Tracey Crouch 8% gain
Helen Whately 4% gain
locally contentious issues. Nor does it consider possible boundary changes, which could see Mrs Whately’s constituency swal- lowed up, or a snap general election. On paper at least, Mrs Grant’s po-
sition is comparatively more parlous than her neighbours, although a 10,000 plus majority might be a tall order to overturn. But a growing Ukip groundswell
and a strong Lib Dem candidate in the Oxford-educated Emily Fermor might make Mrs Grant feel nervous. As one Tory activist told Downs
Mail: “The Lib Dems think they can win it every time they stand in Maidstone and Weald. They sent Peter Carroll, who is no slouch, to fight it twice and Jasper Gerard in
TomTugendhat 3.6% gain
Helen Grant 1.1% gain
2015, but they lost all three.” The party campaigner did ac-
knowledge that Miss Fermor, who lives in Coxheath, might gain “some traction” in a localised contest. A Lib Dem source said: “On
paper, you wouldn’t give Emily a prayer but given the mess the gov- ernment is making of Brexit and some bad economic times ahead, a popular candidate might just do it.” EC predicts the Tories to win the general election with 364 seats (+33) and Labour to secure just 197 (-35). The LibDemswould increase by just a single seat to nine and Ukip would retain its one MP. The prediction service used opin-
ion polls carried out in December 2016 from a sample of 6,719 people.
downsmail.co.uk Garage thefts
POLICE are investigating a spate of break-ins at garages and sheds across west Kent including Maid- stone, when bikes and other Christ- mas gifts have been stolen. Officers have reminded residents
to lock outbuildings after thefts of bicycles and gardening equipment. Ared and white Principia Ellipse bicycle and another bike were stolen after thieves broke a lock on a garage in Loose Road, Maidstone. Maidstone District Commander, Inspector Jody Gagan-Cook said: “Bicycles, power tools and garden- ing equipment are some of the most common targets but there are a number of steps residents can take to avoid falling prey to oppor- tunist thieves. “I would encourage residents to contact their PCSO to arrange for bikes to be security marked and to use strong locks on outbuildings.”
Arson alleged A 40-YEAR-OLD woman has been arrested on suspicion of arson after a blaze at a bungalow in Col- legeAvenue, Maidstone. Kent Police said she had been
bailed until February 16. Firefighters were alerted just
after 8.30pm on Tuesday, Decem- ber 27, and the fire was put out with a hose reel jet.
H & C Motors Ltd. Independent BMW & Mercedes Vehicle Specialists
Servicing & Repairs while you wait, close to town centre
Dealer Level Diagnostics MOTs by appointment
Free Courtesy Car by Appointment
Why pay main dealer prices? Affordable, advanced technology servicing
01622 752364
www.handcmotors.co.uk
14
19-25 Rawdon Road, Maidstone, ME15 6PT Malling January 2017
Air Conditioning Specialists Convertible Hood Specialists
Over 70 years’ of combined experience and accredited training with local main dealers
We service all makes & models Approved by Trading Standards
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48