I think most people by now are aware that Dane Valley is now represented by the red team (Labour). Labour gained 6 seats at the elections which puts them just one seat behind Conservatives with the balance of power going to the three independents.

Given the youthful jubilation of some Labour members at the count I would guess that the reds are expecting the whites to come and play with them to form a controlling faction.

The only decent Conservative councillor in Dane Valley, a man I have come to have a large amount of respect for other this last week, has of course been ousted in a pattern of voting linked to national politics more than local. So now it remains to be seen if Labour can continue the good progress that has been made in the area. Young Will Scobie being that unofficial face of that change will have the most to gain, the most to prove and the most to loose. Tough gig.

However the good news is that there is a growing under current of a third option which given time should provide an alternative for voters. I'm talking of course of the increase in votes cased for team yellow (the Liberal Democrats). It's been a long few months and a steep learning curve for me but one that was well worth it.

This is the beginning.

On Thursday Thanet will be electing new leaders in the form of District Councillors and I may or may not be one of that number (it's too close to call if you ask me).

Yet, in a way, regardless of the outcome this is the beginning. My commitment to Dane Valley and to Thanet as a whole does not end at the elections but starts no matter who is elected. I have no intention of running away from what we have started here.

I feel that the issue of a directly elected (executive) mayor as leader of TDC is one that needs to be revisited and as part of the council or not this is something I will push for.

It is my opinion that the idea of a Margate Parish Council deserves investigation. Ramsgate has one and it's town centre is doing well, Broadstairs has one and it's town centre is likewise keeping it's head above water but Margate has none and it's town centre is dead or almost. Now I know correlation does not imply causality but the question needs to be asked - who is speaking up for Margate?

I am aware that the junction of Tenterden Way and Millmead Road is unsafe and must be addressed and I will continue to push for action (primarily from KCC) in order to see that the junction is made safer. My potential election to Thanet Council notwithstanding making our roads safe is something I will pursue.

I live in Dane Valley and if I can be of use to the people of Dane Valley then I will make myself available. If I can do this as a councillor this is a happy bonus.

It is true that as a councillor there are a number of areas that I can address more directly. I would be able to vote in meetings and have a part in the decision making process. There is no reason for me to blame inaction on not being elected nor try to diminish my actions because I have Thanet District Council commitments.

I have learned a lot about the council, about what it means to be a councillor and just who problems can and should be addressed to during this campaign. I have discovered that many issues are best addressed not to councillors (after all none of the current councillors are going to want to help make an upstart like me look good) but to the executives responsible for that area.

I have become more aware of the difference between the roles of TDC and KCC, between the employee and the elected and between identifying a problem and getting it taken care of.

Whatever way things fall, and they could go either way, my commitment to Dane Valley and to Thanet truly begins on Thursday. What the election decides is what form my commitment will take. I can not speak for other candidate from other parties but as for me I have committed to serve Dane Valley and Thanet and will do so in whatever way I can.


Time for the legal bits

Published and promoted by L. Latham on behalf of M. Brown, T. Flaig and W. Furness (Liberal Democrats) all at , Flat 1, 2 Prospect Road, Broadstairs, Kent. CT10 1LD

There is no escaping that the election is right on top of us.

The big news is the departure of candidates from the two biggest parties and the general suggestions of what this might indicate about said parties. Although some commentators feel it will make no real difference to the outcome.

I have already made the point regarding shifting view points that have left me wondering where we all truly stand and how any voter can trust any of us so I'm not going to revisit that point.

It is the subject of public opinion that I wish to examine now:

Michael Child makes the point that the model of leadership in TDC will be changing but not nearly as much as we the people have wanted it to.



Yet aside from that the blog opinion on the election is rather thin on the ground. Sure Mark Nottingham raised the point of free food and drink for councillors but that was a while ago and the blog is silent. Awhile ago Thanet Coast Life expressed dissatisfaction with two of bloggers that are standing including Simon Moores (Conservative) while showing support for David Green (Labour) which I imagine means that Labour supporters are still alive and well and blogging.

Simon Moores also posted a short ditty but I don't normally link to the guy for long and mostly historical reasons and to comment on his post now would require disclaimers and strap lines that I could live without. Not to mention that the odds of my agreeing with Simon are, as always, fairly remote (although it has happened before, just once...)

Are there any more discussions regarding the election that I have missed?

What is your feeling on the outcome? Who do you think will come out ahead?

Is there a candidate in your ward that you would feel happy voting for? Do you vote with your heart or do you vote party political? Indeed are you going to vote at all? (I'd recommend it). If you are voting then why are you voting and if not then why are you not voting?

I hand the floor to you guys.