Commented on national news reports that of Kent County Council's explanation of why it paid £365,000 to a director who left after a year in his job, Lib Dem Kent County Council Finance Spokesman Tim Prater said:
I've been clear in the past why we have to take difficult decisions to tackle the deficit and lay the foundations of a fairer society. These are not decisions that any government wants to take but we have no choice except to clear up the financial mess that Labour left us. Today's Budget takes these difficult decisions in an honest and fair way and with the clear stamp of Liberal Democrat values running through it.
Wearing the official Mayor chains in such hot weather is not an easy task, mainly because there is no opportunity to take my jacket off! The company, however was worth every minute and I realise I am making many new friends across the area.
Not even the changeable weather, with its showers and drizzle, could dampen the excitement of the hundreds of Brownies and Guides who went to the Folkestone Racecourse at Westenhanger for a Fun Weekend.
![Golfer Tiger Woods [U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Brien Aho.]](/fileadmin/_processed_/6/2/csm_golfer-tiger-woods-u-s-navy-photo-by-photographer-s-mate-1st-class-brien-aho_84512446b3.png)
A new website has been launched listing the Kent hotels, guest houses and local residents willing to take in bed and breakfast guests or even let out their house to golf enthusiasts during next year's British Open at the Royal St George's Golf Club, Sandwich.
The thing about being Mayor for the first time is that each event is a completely new experience. I was amazed when entering St Eanswythe's Church, Folkestone, to find that the Mayor has his own special seat with a lectern with hooks below for the Mace. Convenient!
The Caterpillars Children's Centre in Cheriton will be officially opened next week, and the Mayor of Folkestone, Tom McNeice, will join families for the celebration. The centre, on Chart Road, specialises in support services for children aged up to five years old and their families, including parent and baby/toddler groups, baby massage sessions, antenatal support and child health clinics.
Members and supporters of Shepway Lib Dems are welcome to join us at a Folkestone Cream Tea from 3pm - 6pm at 19 Beachborough Road, Folkestone CT19 4AA on Saturday 19th June - and hopefully enjoy the sunshine!
Was up early to catch a coach to Etaples with the Mayoress first thing - an early start isn't (quite!) so bad when the sun is already shining at 6.15am. A quick and easy journey through the Channel Tunnel, with good company, set the scene for the day. Those on the coach were members of The British Legion, Youth Uniformed Organisations and various people involved with the twinning planning and organisation. We had time for a coffee in a café before beginning the ceremonies of the morning - ordering decaf coffee with schoolboy French took a little time!
The international stage has been shaken by a series of reckless and illegal actions from Donald Trump’s White House. Liberal Democrat members have passed a new motion to bolster our national defence and strengthen our alliances with reliable partners.
For too long, tech giants have treated children as data to be mined, using addictive algorithms and harmful content to keep them scrolling. While some are calling for blanket bans, we know these are impractical and risk isolating vulnerable groups.
If the answer to “Is our nuclear deterrent working?” depends on what Donald Trump had for breakfast, then the answer is no, it’s not. And our deterrent is not truly independent.
Ed Davey is a husband, a father and a carer. He is the Leader of the Liberal Democrats.
It is Ed’s experience of caring that drives much of his politics, and motivates his tireless campaigning for a fair deal.
Meet our representatives and candidates.
