downsmail.co.uk


Brexit poll shows strong call for vote on final deal


WITH less than half a year until Britain leaves the EuropeanUnion after 40 years, the current debate is whether Prime Minister Theresa May should hold a sec- ond referendumon the final deal. DownsMail has been conducting


an online poll to gauge the strength of opinion about a re-run of the June 2016 vote, which started the process of thewithdrawal. As this edition went to press, al-


most 400 readers had voted via our website. Like Brexit, the issue has clearly


divided local people, with a clear 17%lead in favour of a second ref- erendum with 58% of the votes so far. Only 1%of voters are unsure. We posed the question: “With


less than sixmonths untilwe leave the EuropeanUnion and the Prime Minister's exit strategy stalled, do you believe that we should have a second referendum?” The question certainly provoked


a lively exchange on Facebook, with Alan Wynne commenting: “Definitely – nowmore of the facts


have been exposed, the impact of our leaving on our economy, on our incomes, our restrictions, on movement, access to education...” SueWhitfield said: “The votes are


counted – get over it andmove on.” Nils Janson wrote: “The EU


Commissionwould not accept any divorce deal, whatever it was. No deal is not a bad deal and we will save £39bn. Businesses will dictate the trade terms, not the commis- sion of unelected, undemocratic clowns…” Carolyn Morgan said: “No way,


let’s not forget it was the Conser- vative Partywhich asked us to vote and think of our children's and grandchildren's future. I did, and voted out. A second referendum


and our country will go mad. To me, it's almost like saying ‘I voted Labour and the Conservatives won’ - but would we get another election?” John Barret said: “I would have


preferred sensible negotiations leading to a sensible deal, but given the potential dire outcome, partic- ularly in our area, I’d say it makes sense to either extend talks or ask the public to vote on the final deal.” The prime minister has consis-


tently ruled out a second referen- dum, declaring it a betrayal of democracy and trust. To have your say in our Downs Mail online poll, go to www.downsmail.co.uk/views/9/


WWI event


INVICTAGrammar schoolwill host an event tomark the 100th anniver- sary of the Armistice that ended WWI. The evening on Saturday, No-


vember 10, will be hosted byWWI specialists Richard Knight and Jim Barker-McCardle, and will include events such as history talks,military recruitment demonstrations, period singalongs and refreshments. Proceeds of the event at the school


inHuntsman Lane,Maidstone,will go to theHeart of KentHospice. Tickets start at £10 for adults and


£5 for children – call 01622 790195 for details.


Drugs in jail


THE number of drugs found inside Maidstone Prison has risen sharply in the past five years. The Howard League, the prison


reformcharity, revealedthe increase in contrabandreflects a similar issue across the rest of Britain. In the 12 months to March this


year, 48 searchesuncovereddrugs in prison cells, a marked increase on 2013. In the same period, 15% of in-


mates failed mandatory drug tests. The most common drug found is spice, the psychoactive substance.


News


Maidstone Weald October 2018


21


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