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leave were derided as racist and too naive to be able to understand what they had voted for. However, as most of those politicians


later admi�ed, they did not themselves know many of the facts which, in their positions, they should have done. The remainers have also used


percentages as a means of hiding the actual figures to show the large difference between in and out. With the UK’s departure from the EU


now overdue by many weeks, causing confusion to many in business, MPs have had two recesses of about 14 days, because they are tired. If they manage to cobble some kind of


deal together, then some want a people’s vote to hold their hand for them. What is a people’s vote? It is not defined in the Oxford English Dictionary? Can anyone vote? There are no politicians who can fill the


boots of Winston Churchill or Clement A�lee. Alan Wallace, via email


Why not have referendum?


CAN any of your readers explain why some people are against a “confirmatory people’s vote” or second referendum on any EU leaving deal? In life, initial decisions are always


reviewed and questioned as more facts become available, thus avoiding bad outcomes. What is so different, now more facts are known? I hope your readers can enlighten me. AJB Colllins, Staplehurst


Majority are ignored WHAT on earth is happening in this country when the wishes of the majority are ignored and the minority take precedence? We have planners who think it’s fine to


put two schools, which are not needed in this area, and a nature reserve next to a home for people with, I understand, mental health problems. Several of the rooms of this establishment will overlook


the children playing and also doing sports activities. Not a good idea. The schools are to be situated on a road


which is really a country lane and is totally unsuitable as there is only a narrow footpath, which swings from side to side seven times between the A20 to KIMS roundabout. One school is to be named a “Bearsted”


school, when it is in Boxley, and the children will have to come by car, which will jam the already-gridlocked area as well as junction 7, which is hardly coping. The planners and councillors have also


approved an office block and warehouses at Woodcut Road, 500 metres from the Leeds Castle entrance, so junction 8 will also be jammed with lorries, and if the motorway is closed at junction 8, God help us.


As usual, the highways authority is not


fit for purpose, and nobody listens to local residents.We do know our area –- I cannot think of any other part of Maidstone that has 10 schools in a radius of approximately three miles. We, the residents, feel u�erly helpless


with our Kent leaders and also our government. Nobody is listening to us. I never thought I would see this once


great country in such a dire state and feel thoroughly ashamed of the incompetence, dishonesty, selfishness and uncaring a�itude we now have. Thank goodness I have lived the best years of my life in a country that was well run and pleasant. R A Harlow, Bearsted


Organ donation change


THE law around organ donation in England is changing. From spring 2020, all adults in England


will be considered to have agreed to be an organ donor when they die, unless they have recorded a decision not to donate. We want everybody in Kent to take a


moment to think about organ donation, making their organ donation decision and sharing it with family and friends. Those covered by the new law will still have a choice about whether they want to


be an organ donor – you can opt in or opt out. Your family will always be involved to ensure any recorded decision reflects your decision, so please talk to them. Organ donation is, and will always be, a


precious gift, and one donor can save or transform the lives of up to nine people and help many more people, if they also donate tissue. To find out more, and to register your


organ donation decision, visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk. If you can’t find the answer to any questions you may have on the website, please call our hotline on 0300 303 2094. Anthony Clarkson, director of organ donation and transplantation, NHS Blood and Transplant


Become a volunteer


HAVE you ever thought about volunteering? Could you help an established charity as it celebrates its 80th birthday? Citizens’ Advice Maidstone wants


people to be part of the next 80 years of its history by volunteering with them. We started in Maidstone on January 1,


1940 – four months after the beginning of WWII and the start-up of the national Citizens’ Advice service. From April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019,


the 45 volunteer advisers and 15 volunteer assessors at Citizens’ Advice Maidstone helped 10,409 people with 41,098 problems, including debt, housing benefit and employment issues. Our organisation worked over 550 hours on average per week providing this service. Volunteers are the linchpin of the


service, providing clients with information and advice, raising funds, keeping the service running smoothly, and helping with the strategic direction of the organisation. For information about volunteering


with Citizens’ Advice Maidstone, call Heather Hardy on 01622 750770 or email manager@maidstonecab.org.uk. Bonny Malhotra, Citizens’ Advice Maidstone


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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