Into battle

Last month a wonderful lady, a good friend and a true champion of her community, Cllr Jean Atkinson, died following a protracted illness. Jean reminded me of my mother: a working class Conservative whose politics was defined by growing up surrounded by Socialism and seeing what it did to people, their hopes and their dreams. 

In 2007 on her third in attempt she won her home ward (Trench in Tonbridge) - and in doing so became the first ever Conservative councillor for a seat which had been solidly Labour since it was created 60 years previously. She held on in 2011 and again in 2015, increasing her vote share to 53%. An amazing achievement.

The wheels of democracy must keep turning, and a by-election has been called for Thursday 8 December. We have selected a fabulous local candidate, Georgina Thomas, who was born, raised and educated in the ward and still lives there. Georgina is the first of our "post referendum" members to be selected to fight a seat, I suspect she won't be the last. 

If any of my readers fancy a day out in Tonbridge, we will be doorstepping and delivering every day up to 8 December. If you can help please let me know.