The Front Page. - Copy 92(Election Special)
4 May 2010
Well it has been one of the most exciting election campaigns ever. Most of us have already run out of energy and enthusiasm, and are physically wilting after so much coverage everywhere. The only people that seem to thrive on it all are our amazingly energetic politicians and none more so than the three leaders who have powered up and down the country, some even going without sleep, so that they can reap your vote. Pity the poor wives, but particularly Sarah Brown, who has travelled the length and breath of dear ol' Blighty in support of her husband Gordon, even she, staunch woman of the age, has been looking a little fatigued in the final days.
And now without further ado... here are your local choices. Time to exercise your democratic right.
John Brigden - Liberal Democrat
David Clark - Christian Peoples Alliance
Charlie Elphicke - Conservative
George Lee-Delisle - Independent
Victor Matcham - UK Independence Party
Gwyn Prosser - Labour
Michael Walters - English Democrats
Dennis Whiting - British National Party
* *
Yes the Election Campaign has entered its final day and some of our fellow citizens will be relieved to think that the end is nigh, and of course some wont, as this time around for the aficionados of all things politic, it has been just fascinating. Even now at the eleventh hour all parties are still jostling hard for position .The polls are tight, and to use that oft told term...its still all to play for.
Where once, not all that long ago, Labour were so far behind in the polls that a biblical recovery on par with Lazarus rising from the dead was needed, ah yes indeed it was, but then... look what happened with Lazarus, he did indeed bounce back, like the proverbial sprightly chicken. So Gwyn Prosser resident MP, who must have had his bags half packed for early departure at one time, is still in there fighting, thanks to this late Labour Lazarian revival.
Charlie Elphicke, Conservative candidate, who arrived in town on the crest of the Tory wave, must have been taken aback to a degree by the revival in the fortunes of the other parties. He was at one time, like a centre forward with an open goal in front of him, but out of nowhere the fullback has re-appeared and now the striker has a fight on his hands. Charlie is still regarded as favourite to slot the ball in the net, what with Gwyn acknowledging the role of underdog, but will he make it ? Main picture shows Charlie campaigning recently with Shadow Foreign Minister William Hague in Market Square Dover . Picture by Peter Garstin.
What can you say about the LibDems that hasnt already been said. Nick Clegg rocketed to fame like a ballistic missile and blew the whole political status quo apart. He has reached phenomenal levels of popularity. The picture on the right shows him shaking hands with local candidate John Brigden.. but, will they make local impact? or would it be wiser to allow tactical voting to kick into play?
Pictures: Top shot shows the noble Lord himself standing on the Town Hall steps with some well known local figures, not least Vic Matcham the UKIP Candidate on the left. Next to Vic is the recently controversial President of the Chamber of Commerce Cameron Macsween. Then Lord Pearson himself, then Alan Shirley also of the Chamber.
Picture left below shows Vic with Lord Pearson on Dover seafront and then an excellent tip top picture of the main man himself, Vic Matcham.
There is no doubt about it, the nation is gripped with this election like never before. Each day the leaders of the three main parties fight tooth and nail for their share of media exposure. The explosive arrival of Nick Clegg into the main fray set the political world alight. Everything changed..Cameron's cakewalk to Downing Street was immensely threatened by the arrival of the new political superstar, who is clearly the darling of the first time voter, and others beside. This all happened after that first electrifying live TV debate. Since then however David Cameron has regrouped, found a new strategy and fought back with some easy going style...so now, with just a few days to go, he still tops the polls. All the while the considerably beleagured Prime Minister went from bad to worse and committed political hari-kari with 'the bigot' Gillian Duffy.
But one thing you can actually say in Gordon Browne's favour, he never gives up. This bank holiday weekend he found some real passion and had some of his best performances to date. So despite all the hiccups and the foot shooting...Gordon has actually gone up in the recent polls. He is not quite dead yet!
Of course the Conservatives have the most money at their disposal and they are pouring this money into marginal seats. Dover is not as marginal as some, but nevertheless is stll regarded as marginal, and most of us have seen the benefit or otherwise of that extra money at Tory disposal, in the massive level of leaflets powering through our letterboxes. Another feature of the marginal seat is that we get visits from Governement Ministers and Shadow Ministers, all seeking our vote and doing their best to help their local candidate get the best exposure available. PB.
Secretary of State says the Aylesham Centre is a great example of Government
The Rt Hon John Denham, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, visited the Aylesham & District Community Workshop Centre on Thursday to see the successful Neighbourhood Project in operation, visit businesses in the workshop area and hear about the vast array other community activities on offer in Aylesham.
Photos shown are of John & Gwyn Prosser visiting the nursery and also with the management team of Marine Software Ltd, one of many companies which have been set up in the community workshops.
Gwyn Prosser (who was a founder member of the Aylesham Trust Steering Group and is now their Patron) said:
“The Aylesham Centre was built out of the ashes of the Village’s High School which was shut down by the Tories at KCC shortly after Mrs Thatcher closed down all the pits in the East Kent Coalfield throwing thousands of people out of work.
“When Labour came to office the Government invested in Aylesham and working with the local trust - the centre, the workshops, and the community facilities were created and I was proud to show the Secretary of State what a wonderful success it has become”
After the visit John Denham said:
"I never cease to be impressed by the wonderful work done by local people in creating their own facilities and although I've visited hundreds of projects up and down the country I think Aylesham must be high up in the league table of successful ventures. Labour has pumped millions into regenerating the pit villages in this constituency since Gwyn has represented it as the MP and the Aylesham Centre is a great example of Government and the community working together for the benifit of the community - I've been hugely impressed by all that's been achieved.
Time to Vote..
Well it has been one of the most exciting election campaigns ever. Most of us have already run out of energy and enthusiasm, and are physically wilting after so much coverage everywhere. The only people that seem to thrive on it all are our amazingly energetic politicians and none more so than the three leaders who have powered up and down the country, some even going without sleep, so that they can reap your vote. Pity the poor wives, but particularly Sarah Brown, who has travelled the length and breath of dear ol' Blighty in support of her husband Gordon, even she, staunch woman of the age, has been looking a little fatigued in the final days.
And now without further ado... here are your local choices. Time to exercise your democratic right.
John Brigden - Liberal Democrat
David Clark - Christian Peoples Alliance
Charlie Elphicke - Conservative
George Lee-Delisle - Independent
Victor Matcham - UK Independence Party
Gwyn Prosser - Labour
Michael Walters - English Democrats
Dennis Whiting - British National Party
* *
Wed May 5 - The Last Day.
Yes the Election Campaign has entered its final day and some of our fellow citizens will be relieved to think that the end is nigh, and of course some wont, as this time around for the aficionados of all things politic, it has been just fascinating. Even now at the eleventh hour all parties are still jostling hard for position .The polls are tight, and to use that oft told term...its still all to play for.
Where once, not all that long ago, Labour were so far behind in the polls that a biblical recovery on par with Lazarus rising from the dead was needed, ah yes indeed it was, but then... look what happened with Lazarus, he did indeed bounce back, like the proverbial sprightly chicken. So Gwyn Prosser resident MP, who must have had his bags half packed for early departure at one time, is still in there fighting, thanks to this late Labour Lazarian revival.
Charlie Elphicke, Conservative candidate, who arrived in town on the crest of the Tory wave, must have been taken aback to a degree by the revival in the fortunes of the other parties. He was at one time, like a centre forward with an open goal in front of him, but out of nowhere the fullback has re-appeared and now the striker has a fight on his hands. Charlie is still regarded as favourite to slot the ball in the net, what with Gwyn acknowledging the role of underdog, but will he make it ? Main picture shows Charlie campaigning recently with Shadow Foreign Minister William Hague in Market Square Dover . Picture by Peter Garstin.
What can you say about the LibDems that hasnt already been said. Nick Clegg rocketed to fame like a ballistic missile and blew the whole political status quo apart. He has reached phenomenal levels of popularity. The picture on the right shows him shaking hands with local candidate John Brigden.. but, will they make local impact? or would it be wiser to allow tactical voting to kick into play?
UKIP and The Lord :
I have to say that Ive had an extremely good set of pictures through from UKIP...if only we had such co-operation from some of the others! Who the photographer was I dont know, not having the info, but my congrats to him as its a very good set indeed. As all of us know here on Doverforum the UKIP guys have fought a very energetic campaign. Long time forumite Vic Matcham is their candidate and despite bad knees and everything else, Vic has done extremely well to be so energetic and so enthusiastic. He has been a revelation. You dont need Doverforum to tell you what the parties stand for by now, as the coverage both on this forum and on TV etc has been massive for all parties. But its hard to tell just how well UKIP are doing here in Dover but nationally they are just registered on the polls as 'Others'...and 'Others' have hovered continuously between 9 and 11 percent of the total vote. UKIP are only one of the parties that make up these 'Others'. However that said, they could spring a surprise with a good result here in Dover. Immigration is their main reason for being. A total freeze on all immigration for 5 years is their ideal...an ideal that resonates with many. Will be most interesting to see how they do. PBPictures: Top shot shows the noble Lord himself standing on the Town Hall steps with some well known local figures, not least Vic Matcham the UKIP Candidate on the left. Next to Vic is the recently controversial President of the Chamber of Commerce Cameron Macsween. Then Lord Pearson himself, then Alan Shirley also of the Chamber.
Picture left below shows Vic with Lord Pearson on Dover seafront and then an excellent tip top picture of the main man himself, Vic Matcham.
Election Fever Continues....
There is no doubt about it, the nation is gripped with this election like never before. Each day the leaders of the three main parties fight tooth and nail for their share of media exposure. The explosive arrival of Nick Clegg into the main fray set the political world alight. Everything changed..Cameron's cakewalk to Downing Street was immensely threatened by the arrival of the new political superstar, who is clearly the darling of the first time voter, and others beside. This all happened after that first electrifying live TV debate. Since then however David Cameron has regrouped, found a new strategy and fought back with some easy going style...so now, with just a few days to go, he still tops the polls. All the while the considerably beleagured Prime Minister went from bad to worse and committed political hari-kari with 'the bigot' Gillian Duffy.
But one thing you can actually say in Gordon Browne's favour, he never gives up. This bank holiday weekend he found some real passion and had some of his best performances to date. So despite all the hiccups and the foot shooting...Gordon has actually gone up in the recent polls. He is not quite dead yet!Of course the Conservatives have the most money at their disposal and they are pouring this money into marginal seats. Dover is not as marginal as some, but nevertheless is stll regarded as marginal, and most of us have seen the benefit or otherwise of that extra money at Tory disposal, in the massive level of leaflets powering through our letterboxes. Another feature of the marginal seat is that we get visits from Governement Ministers and Shadow Ministers, all seeking our vote and doing their best to help their local candidate get the best exposure available. PB.
Secretary of State says the Aylesham Centre is a great example of Government
and Community working together.
The Rt Hon John Denham, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, visited the Aylesham & District Community Workshop Centre on Thursday to see the successful Neighbourhood Project in operation, visit businesses in the workshop area and hear about the vast array other community activities on offer in Aylesham.
Photos shown are of John & Gwyn Prosser visiting the nursery and also with the management team of Marine Software Ltd, one of many companies which have been set up in the community workshops.
Gwyn Prosser (who was a founder member of the Aylesham Trust Steering Group and is now their Patron) said:
“The Aylesham Centre was built out of the ashes of the Village’s High School which was shut down by the Tories at KCC shortly after Mrs Thatcher closed down all the pits in the East Kent Coalfield throwing thousands of people out of work.
“When Labour came to office the Government invested in Aylesham and working with the local trust - the centre, the workshops, and the community facilities were created and I was proud to show the Secretary of State what a wonderful success it has become”
After the visit John Denham said:
"I never cease to be impressed by the wonderful work done by local people in creating their own facilities and although I've visited hundreds of projects up and down the country I think Aylesham must be high up in the league table of successful ventures. Labour has pumped millions into regenerating the pit villages in this constituency since Gwyn has represented it as the MP and the Aylesham Centre is a great example of Government and the community working together for the benifit of the community - I've been hugely impressed by all that's been achieved.