Alderman Dennis Grover

I have received several enquiries about former Councillor, Labour Group Leader & Alderman Dennis Grover who died on 19 May. I will be speaking at Swale Borough Council’s next Full Council meeting on 20 June about Dennis’ contribution to our … Continue reading →

Sheppey Day of Action confirms widening gap in polls for Tories

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Our Day of Action in Minster on the Isle of Sheppey yesterday confirmed the widening gap in the polls for the Tories. Many people who had voted Conservative in the last four years said they would not be voting for … Continue reading →

Thoughts & lessons on 10 years of politics in Swale by Mike Haywood

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I was elected to Swale Council in Kent on 2 May 2002, 10 years ago today. This is a frank memoir of those years. We face real challenges with our local economy, with poverty and housing, as well as reinvigorating our community … Continue reading →

Where is Sheppey Hospital again???

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After two sleepless nights and two days struggling to speak properly I finally contacted my Doctor’s Surgery this morning to ask for an appointment only to be told there weren’t any and they were only open half a day. I … Continue reading →

New boundaries define battle lines for 2015

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Unless anything changes between now and June, the Local Government Boundary Commission for England’s recommendations will form the new battle lines in Swale in the 2015 local elections. On the face of it, boundary reviews serve administrative functions making sure … Continue reading →

Standing up for our schools & hospitals – McCusker

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Martin played a prominent role at the NASUWT conference this weekend, when teachers expressed their anger at Government policy on Academies, pensions and the Secretary of State Michael Gove, and his continual attacks on the teaching profession. In a passionate … Continue reading →

The ides of March and the most unfair Budget in recent history

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So preoccupied was he with power that the Ides of March passed Caesar by. But they hadn’t gone. As March turned to April, the Tory-Lib Dem Coalition thought the worst of their blues had passed. But little did they realise they … Continue reading →

Swings and roundabouts for Tories as the dust settles on Kemsley byelection

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Ask any candidate if they are happy with winning and, of course, they will reply ‘yes’ even if it is only by one vote. But truth be told, no candidate is comfortable with less than 50% of the popular mandate. … Continue reading →

On the occasion of the Memorial for the ‘splendid’ Terry Boston (MP for Faversham 1964-1970) St Margaret’s Church, Westminster Abbey

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There is a little known custom of logging telephone messages of good will in a constituency office the day after the results of a notable general election victory have been announced. In places where Labour victories are more difficult to come … Continue reading →

Kemsley byelection – a story of Tory neglect

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With just under two weeks to go the Kemsley byelection is coming to a head. Labour has already spoken to most of the residents who live in the ward once and is going back on those people they missed first … Continue reading →