News | Local elections


downsmail.co.uk Bell backs indie movement


THE fledgling independent movement in Maidstone has received backing from the highest profile indie of them all – the white-suited, former BBC war correspondent, Martin Bell.


Mr Bell, who overturned Tory Neil Hamilton’s 22,000 majority in Tatton on an anti-sleaze ticket in 1997, said this is a “good time” for candidates to emerge in borough councillor Tom and Janetta Sams’ drive to offer an alternative to party politics at the local elections on May 6.


News of Mr Bell’s support came


as it became clear one seat on the indies’ target list is that of Lib Dem leader of Maidstone Borough Council (MBC), Cllr Martin Cox. Mr Bell, a UNICEF ambassador,


said: “It’s a very good time to do it. I understand the need for the party system nationally, but not at bor- ough council level. There are more possibilities locally and this is going to be a campaign like no other, because of COVID-19. “My advice to the independents is to choose your battleground carefully, because the right candi- date fighting the right seat could do very well in Maidstone. “Avoid Punch and Judy fights


and don’t speak ill of opponents is also sound advice, as is having a good understanding with the local Press and presence on social media.”


The Sams husband-and-wife team announced last month they are seeking candidates without po- litical ties prepared to stand for election in their communities. Cllr Cox's east ward is up for


Parish call for poll


candidates in May EAST Farleigh Parish Council has written to householders seeking candidates to become parish coun- cillors at the May elections. Only five of the current eight councillors are seeking re-elec- tion.


Departing chairman Glyn Charlton said: “I have been privi- leged to see many ideas come to fruition. There is an opportunity now for new ideas.”


The parish is setting up a Lorry


Watch to restrict heavy vehicles in Dean Street and Lower Road. It is renewing the campaign to prevent speeding and will pay for police time to carry out enforcement. Go to www.eastfarleigh- pc.org.uk or call the clerk on 07999 414712 for further details on how to become a candidate.


22 THE KEY DATES


ELECTIONS will take place in 19 borough council wards. The notice of election is due to be displayed on March 19, with nominations to be completed by April 8. The Electoral Commission will


be updating the paperwork due to recent legislative changes and these will be reflected in nomina- tion packs from MBC’s electoral services team. Postal vote applica- tions can also be obtained from the team. Information for prospective


candidates and agents will be available via the MBC website.


VOTING BY POST Martin Bell and right, MBC leader Cllr Martin Cox


grabs this year. He sits on a com- fortable 24% majority and is popu- lar and well-respected. Cllr Janetta Sams has ruled noth- ing out in the run-up to the elec- tion. She said: "We’ve had expressions of interest and we’re keen to back people who wish to stand in their own communities, so if someone in the east ward is in- terested, we'll talk. But if someone is available who doesn't have an election in their area, they might want to stand somewhere else."


The Sams are committed to pro-


viding help and advice to potential candidates, but are not keen on naming the movement for fear of being branded a party.


Lib Dems relied on the Sams’ votes to form an administration in 2019 with Labour and two other in- dependents, Cllr Steve Munford and Cllr Fay Gooch. But the MBC- led development of Lenham Heath with 4,000 units, saw the Sams withdraw that support. Comment, page 45


Hotson row continues


THE de-selection of Conserva- tive Eric Hotson as a candidate in the truest of true blue seats on May 6 continues to rumble on.


Former Conservative bor-


ough council leader Chris Gar- land, who is still a serving member, has agreed to become Mr Hotson's election agent. In supporting an indepen-


dent, Cllr Garland says he has been told he must resign, but has refused to do so. Cllr Hotson is fighting the Maidstone rural south division on Kent County Council as an independent against Lottie Parfitt-Reid, the Tory can di- date. In a defiant letter to Con- servative borough council


opposition leader John Perry, Cllr Garland says he will not resign and will fight the seat "as a Tory". He writes: "I am well aware that he [Cllr Hotson] has been unceremoniously dumped as the Tory candidate, after 20 years of dedicated service to his division and his party." Cllr Garland, who stands down from borough duties in May, describes his rival as a "relatively unknown and inex- perienced individual". Cllr Perry said: "I won't say anything. I can't say anything." A spokesman for the local Conservative association said: "The constitution is quite clear."


TO GET your postal vote, call MBC on 01622 602000, and ask for registration services. When con- nected choose option 2 for postal and proxy voting. Your borough or county councillor can assist.


BOROUGH SEATS


THE current state of the Liberal Democrat-led borough council, with 55 seats, is as follows: CONSERVATIVE 22 LIBERAL DEMOCRAT 21 LABOUR 4


INDEPENDENTS 4 MAIDSTONE INDEPENDENTS 2 SEATS VACANT 2


Playing safe


THE Liberal Democrats have ad- mitted the omission of three candi- dates in key seats they need to retain to form a new administra- tion was "strategic".


No Lib Dems will be offered in Barming and Teston (Ind), Fant (Lab) and Boughton Monchelsea (Ind).


The party needs the support of Labour and two independents to have a chance of gaining enough seats to out-number the Tories.


No knocking


POLITICAL parties have decided not to knock on voters' doors dur- ing the run-up to May 6. They will deliver leaflets via pri-


vate delivery firms or by activists observing social-distancing and sanitising.


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