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What does election mean for us? MailMarks


probably the most fascinating, important and unreadable election of our lifetimes? As a mostly staunch Conservative and


Brexit county, most will be bewildered, disappointed and worried. In the Maidstone area, the result produced no surprises. The four Tory MPs (Helen Grant, Helen Whately, Tracey Crouch and Tom Tugendhat) retained thumping majorities. Most significant movementwas the increase in Labour’s vote at the expense of Ukip and the Lib Dems. The only Kent shock came at Canterbury (strongly Conservative for 99 years), and there is deep anger among many city Tories who believe their MP fell by 187 votes due to migratory students taken in by unaffordable Labour promises.Watch for local unrest. It’s uncertainties caused by many more unexpected results in the rest of the UK, now with a hung Parliament, which cause so much concern for everyone, especially businesses. Both Labour and Conservatives made significant election promises. I am relieved Labour will not again be able to push us towards national bankruptcy by carrying out theirs (ghosts of Gordon Brown). It is easy without responsibility to promise the earth. The Tories areweakened and politically fractious, and must play safe to survive. But the economy will still demand tough and unpalatable action. Can the Prime Minister regain her own,


and our, confidence after her grim election campaign? Shewas


Have respect for elders


WHEN I saw the leer from Paul Fitch in Downs Mail, I was disgusted that he could talk that way about pensioners. He might think that he is right , and


others may feel that all pensioners should be given the flight tickets to Swierland for the injection, but I would like to point out we, as a generation, are proud of the vote to give Britain back to Britain. We have paid our taxes, we have not abused the benefits’ system, we saved our money to achieve what we wanted and we were not given hand-outs. We did not have mobile phones and


iPads – we were the generation who educated ourselves and our children and we did not whinge or ask for help at every


DENNISFOWLE President dfowle2011@aol.com


outperformed by Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader hardly anyone gave a chance when the electionwas called. His campaign surprised us all – but many had nightmares about him as Prime Minister. I now sleep a lile more easily! How does Brexit sit now? As strong as


ever, I think. The nation has voted by referendum and Parliament finally gave overwhelming support. The two main partieswere both commied in the election – and parties which opposed did not farewell. Probably 600 MPswere elected carrying


a Brexit ticket. There is still a diminishing band of “remoaners” who give succour to hard liners in Europewanting to punish us. I think our team will be even more determined to negotiate for Britain the dealwewant.


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No more Updates FOR the last 12 years or so, you have


been able to read Maidstone Council’s regular publication Borough Update as part of your Downs Mail. But no more. The council has decided to produce its


own glossy magazine twice a year and deliver it by Royal Mail across the borough. The Downs Mail has tried to persuade the council this is wrong – that its


turn.We worked hard and went without so that our children could achieve their goals. It is all well and good moaning about us,


but I know the vote wasn't taken lightly and we want our grandchildren to have the chance to achieve their aspirations. I have no idea how old Paul is, but I do


know that his opinion is insulting to families, children, parents and grandparents. Instead of whinging, do something positive. We are not to blame, have some respect


for your elders.We try hard to keep our opinions to ourselves when we are insulted and spoken over by the younger generation. Elaine Chivers, by email


taxpayers will not be well informed in a timelyway on important council services, policies and views.We also claim that, at a time of severe financial stringencies for the council, this will come at extra cost. We have investigated improving the urgency of Borough Update, suggesting a monthly two-page spread in the 60,000 or so copies distributed via our four Maidstone editions. This totals 24 pages a year – a significant saving for the council on last year’s 48 pages (12 pages quarterly). These regular newsleers in Downs Mail have workedwell for years for Bearsted, Boxley, Thurnham, Malling and Snodland. The council is right to make more use of


social media to project its information – but how many adult householders are big users of Facebook and Twier? I know the percentage is low. The national history of council glossies


is grim, with many failures – ask Kent County Council! They are not good vehicles for urgent information and news, often become frothy, tired and generally notwell read. The government has issued awarning, too. It does notwant to see local authorities competing with local businesses, especially the local newspaper industry, which is currently facing severe challenges. Downs Mail and Kent Messenger will bewatching any threat to local advertising revenue very carefully. I think the council will soon find it has


made a poor and costly decision – bad for residents, itself and newspapers so important to local democracy. Too often local councils find running businesses is not their forte.


Planners ‘punish’ drivers


WHY do we employ planners and councillors? Recently the road was yet again flooded


right across, by the bus stop to the side of Homebase on the Quarry Wood estate. It happens every time there's heavy rain. Couple this with the badly designed


roads, poorly designed junctions where a queue stops traffic in any lane, unsynchronised traffic lights, unrelieved bends and all the rest of the time-wasting, fuel-wasting and frustrating nonsense our “couldn't give a damn” masters make us suffer and is it any wonder there's road rage? You feel as if they want to punish us for daring to drive! Phil Granger,West Malling


The five editions of the Downs Mail are delivered to 90% of households in the Maidstone and Malling area, reaching over 190, 000 readers every month.


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