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Chatham and Aylesford MP Tracey Crouch (centre) celebrates her election success with her supporters MPs back with more support


THE public turned out in force to re-elect the area’s Conservative MPs as the voice of the borough in Parliament – with even greater majorities, in the third general election in four years.


Achieving the biggest majority


in the history of the Tonbridge and Malling seat, Tom Tugendhat re- ceived 35,784 votes, from a 72.3% turnout. His nearest rival, Liberal Demo-


crat Richard Morris, secured 5,000 more votes for his party than on the last election at 8,843, but way short of any challenge; while fel- low contender April Clark doubled votes for the Green Party to 4,090. Labour’s Dylan Jones’ share of the vote was just 8,286 (down 3,414 for the party on 2017). Commenting on the results, Tom


Tugendhat described the victory and his re-election as “an honour and immense privilege”.


Appeal for


spare gifts A PRIMARY school in East Malling has announced it will be holding a “gift amnesty”. Parents, staff and friends of


St James the Great Academy are being asked to help raise funds for the school by hand- ing in any unwanted Christ- mas gifts. The Chapman Way school


say donations will be used as prizes at PTA events coming up in 2020. They are also ac- cepting any unwanted Christ- mas decorations and gift bags. Any donations can be sent to the school office.


14 Malling January 2020 He said: “I am truly grateful to


those who supported me and helped with my campaign to be re- elected to serve with the largest majority in the history of the seat.” He spoke of his pledge to fight


for community services, including GPs in West Malling, adding: “This election is a huge mandate for me to continue delivering for our com- munity on the things that matter: keeping GP services in West Malling; helping introduce more frequent and reliable bus services and improving infrastructure across our towns and villages.” Over in Chatham and Aylesford,


Tracey Crouch was voted back in as MP for the fourth time, nearly


doubling her majority, with 28,856 of the votes on a 60.71% turnout - way ahead of Labour’s Vince Maple on 10,316. She told Downs Mail: “Although


Brexit was a dominant feature of the general election, other issues were prevalent, including our creaking infrastructure at the Malling end of the constituency. “Inappropriate housing devel- opment concerns many people, given the continuous gridlock on local roads and the pressures on health and education services. “It is important that while tack-


ling Brexit, MPs don’t forget the challenges people face on their doorstep.”


2019 RESULTS


Tonbridge and Malling Tom Tugendhat (Con) – 35,784 Richard Morris (Lib Dem) – 8,843 Dylan Jones (Labour) – 8,286 April Clark (Green) – 4,090 Majority: 26,941


Ballot papers issued: 57,315 Turnout 72.3% Spoiled votes – 312


Chatham and Aylesford Tracey Crouch (Con) – 28,856 Vince Maple (Labour) – 10,316 David Naghi (Lib Dem) – 2,866 Geoff Wilkinson (Green) – 1,090 John Gibson (Christian People’s Alliance) – 212 Majority: 18,540


Ballot papers issued: 43,496 Turnout: 60.71% Spoiled votes 159


Stolen van dumped Terror charge


A STOLEN dog-walking busi- ness’s van was mysteriously found “dumped” at Larkfield Leisure Centre. Swaggle Dogs published an ap-


peal on Facebook after their dis- tinctively van and car went missing in Abery Drive, Larkfield, on Jan- uary 6. The red Vauxhall Insignia, with


the number plate KE14 HXV, is still missing. The post read: “The van was later found dumped at Lark- field Leisure Centre. Cash was taken but everything else was in- tact. We are now waiting for crime scene investigators to come and take fingerprints etc.” A Kent Police spokesman said: “Officers are investigating a re-


ported burglary and the theft of a van from Larkfield. “Kent Police were notified that


car keys were taken during a break-in at a private address in Abery Drive and a VW Trans- porter stolen between 10.30pm on Monday January 6 and 4.45am on January 7. “The van was later found in New Hythe Lane.”


A TEENAGER from Snodland has been charged with right-wing ter- rorism offences. George Fowle (19), of Lucas


Road, was arrested at Heathrow Airport on June 18. He is charged with possessing material likely to be of use to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism. He was due to appear at West- minster Magistrates’ Court on Jan- uary 6.


Date with cake


LARKFIELD Community Group are inviting residents to its coffee and cake mornings at the Larkfield Priory Hotel in London Road. The meetings take place every al- ternate Tuesday from 10am to noon. For details call 07563 196479.


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