Politics

The reverberations from the leaked government dossier on the threat posed by a no-deal Brexit look likely to set the political agenda in the coming days.Depending on your perspective, it is either a sobering and realistic assessment of departing without a deal or - as Michael Gove argued - an out of date report which had been overtaken by events.His claim that the dossier depicted a worst-case scenario seemed to be at odds with the view of civil servants who, according to The Sunday Times, described some of the consequences as a “reasonable” scenario.Either way, even if only some of the consequences materialise, the UK would have a lot to contend with, not least in Kent.The claim that as many as 85% of hauliers are not prepared for French customs checks and on “Day One” the flow of freight through the Channel ports could be reduced by as much as 60% is among the more alarming - the impact on Kent would, in these circumstances be pretty sudden.The idea that … [Read more...] about Gove talks down ‘sobering’ Brexit report

Otten’s decision to start a new splinter party means the nationalist party’s weight in the upper house of parliament has now been cut to nine, three fewer than the right-wing VVD. Forum emerged as the biggest party after the local elections in March. The two senators who have joined Otten are Dorien Rookmaker and Jeroen de Vries were knownas his supporters, the paper said. Rookmaker had earlier tried to heal the breach between Otten and Forum leader Thierry Baudet. Otten was one of the co-founders of the party but had been under fire since giving an interview to the NRC newspaper which was highly critical of Baudet and the way he was moving the party to the far right. … [Read more...] about Former Forum senator Henk Otten forms new splinter party

A part of town long mooted for development could be transformed into 400 homes, offices, a health centre and shops.For years land next to Maidstone East station has been billed for redevelopment to become a gateway to the County Town.Shops including John Lewis and Asda had both eyed up the former Royal Mail sorting office on Sandling Road, but plans never materialised.Now Maidstone Borough Council is in the very early stages of joint plans with Kent County Council for the site, which would branch into a car park next to Maidstone East.The Kent Messenger can exclusively reveal the council hopes to create a mixed use development next to the busy station.The plans, which are still in their infancy, could see 400 homes along with 60,000 sq ft of office space, a health centre and shops.John Foster, the council's head of regeneration and economic development said: "It's still in the very early stages, our next step is doing a deal with Network Rail to secure the car park behind the sorting … [Read more...] about Council’s plan for 400 homes next to station

A former prisoner hopes the Government's aim to reduce the prison population and "humanise" them will prevent others from going through the pain she felt. Prisoner rights advocate Awatea Mita has done time at a minimum-security prison in New Zealand and knows the toll it can take on a family. In December 2013, she told Newshub her 13-year-old son travelled to see her in prison, but he was turned away and told to come back in a week. Budget 2019: $98 million for Māori-focused prison initiative Strategy launched by Corrections to reduce Māori reoffending Corrections sets up 0800 number to report unsolicited prisoner letters "He passed away in that week, so the last time I ever actually got to see him was through glass," Mita said. She went to his tangi after he drowned, but only had 12 hours of release time including travel and arrived just before the casket was closed. "As it was, I had 10 minutes with him to say goodbye." Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis announced on … [Read more...] about Hope Māori-focused Corrections plan will deliver for families