News


downsmail.co.uk MPs ‘safe’ if election called


THE area’sMPs have little to fret about should the PrimeMinister call an early general election, according to newfigures.


All four Conservative Westmin-


stermembers are set to cruise to vic- tory by handsome margins, albeit with slightly reducedmajorities. Therewouldbeno surge for either


the Labour Party or the Liberal De- mocrats in this part of Kent, if the prediction website Electoral Calcu- lus (EC) is correct. EC provides seat-by-seat analysis


and drilldowns of opinion polling and trends, but it generally does not take into consideration very local factors. The figures take in data up until


October 17, when national polling was showing the Tories nudging in front of Labour and the Lib Dems flat-lining. In recent weeks, there has been


speculation that PM Theresa May will be forced to call a general elec- tion in the event of a Brexit no deal. But if predictions are right, it


would be a disastrous course of ac- tion, as it would leave her 26 seats adrift of the required number needed to forma government. MrsMay is currently propped up by the 10members of the Northern


MAIDSTONE Borough Council (MBC) has banned the use of sky lanterns. It is estimated 200,000 lanterns


fuel cell filled with paraffin wax in a paper-coverd frame. ButMBC admits the lanterns are


forbidden only on its land and are not enforceable by a fine. A spokesman said: “Event or-


ganiserswill not be able to host any balloon releases or sky lanterns on our land as a condition of hire … should they not comply, they may be unable to use our spaces again.”


Legalmove


ONE of Kent’s largest law firms, which has been inMaidstone town centre for almost 180 years, has de- cided to relocate. Whitehead Monckton has come


to the end of its current lease in King Street and will move to Eclipse Park, near J7 of theM20. Managing director, Stephen


Beck, said: “The move will be tingedwith sadness. I haveworked in the office ever since I joined the firmin 1992 as a trainee solicitor.” The practicewas created by John Monckton in 1825.


22 Maidstone December 2018


Irish Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) atWestminster. But it would be nigh impossible


for the Labour Party to cobble to- gether a governmentwithout going into a rainbow coalition with the SNPandtheLibDems, according to the figures. HelenWhately, picturedat a pub-


licmeeting earlier this year, theTory member for Faversham and Mid Kent,might see her vote share drop four points to 57% but she retains a 94%chance of taking the seat. Her constituency is earmarked to


be scrapped under boundary changes, although there aremany at Westminster who feel the changes will not be enacted. According to EC, Maidstone and


the Weald’s Helen Grant will also lose 4% (57%) but retains a 90% chance of staying in place. Tonbridge and Malling MP Tom


Tugendhat is in the strongest posi- tionwith 60%of the vote (-3%) and a 97%likelihood of re-election. Tracey Crouchwould drop 4%of


her vote to 53% and an 85% chance of retaking the seat.


Lantern ban Drug dealer foundwith knife jailed


are sold each year in the UK alone. The lights consist of a candle or a


MAIDSTONE man Christopher Quested, who fled police in the town centre to avoidarrest, has been jailed for drugs offences. Acourt heard howat 5amon Jan-


uary 1, patrols were called to Mar- ket Buildings by door staff at a bar over reports a man was acting sus- piciously after he had refused to be searched going in. Quested (26), who was declined


entry,waswalking away as officers arrived at the scene. As they ap- proached him, he ran into the High


Streetwhere he threwa tablet com- puter onto the ground. Officers caught up with him and


examined his pockets where they foundfive small bags of cocaine and a grey locking knife. Questedwas arrestedanda search


of his home found21 bags of cocaine and someweighing scales. The tablet was found to contain


messages relating to drug dealing. Quested, of Riverhead Close,


Maidstone, was charged with pos- session of cocainewith intent to sup-


ply and possessing a bladed article in a public place. He appearedatMaidstoneCrown


Court where he pleaded guilty. On October 19, Quested received a prison sentence totalling two years and sixmonths. Investigating officer, Detective


Sergeant Jo Hazelwood said: “Our town centre officers work closely with door staff, and thosewho seek to supplydrugs atpubs andclubs in Maidstone will be brought to jus- tice.”


Graeme’s Channel swim Piglets born


A MAIDSTONE man is to swim the length of the English Channel in his latest extreme sporting challenge. Graeme Kelly (46) aims to spend


15 hours completing the 22-mile distance, but in the safety of the Larkfield Leisure Centre. Mr Kelly hopes to raisemoney for


Aspire, the charity which helps vic- tims of spinal cord injury. He has completed various “Iron-


man” challenges but says he is not a “hugely experienced swimmer”. His swim takes place alongside


Tony Saunders on November 25 from6amto 10pm.


A POPULAR pet pig at Kent Life has given birth to piglets. Anastasia, a cross between a


Welsh Sow and Pietrain Boar, has just become a mother at the Maid- stone attraction. Four-year-oldAnastasia is part of


the “adopt an animal” scheme of- fered by Kent Life. By adopting an animal, many are helping to keep the attractions’ farmyard animals fed, watered, clean, well housed and happy for one calendar year. Alpacas, donkeys, goats, horses


and pigs are all available to adopt. For details, call 01622 763936 or visitwww.kentlife.org.uk.


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