John Kent vows: I will stay in touch
THURROCK’S Labour Parliamentary candidate John Kent says if he wins June’s election he will take practical steps to keep in touch with local people.
“This is something I’m passionate about – something I believe all MPs should do,” he said.
“Political commentators talk about the ‘Westminster bubble’ – well I have spent all my life in Thurrock and I want the best for local people, but to do that you must create a two-way conversation.
“I would pay for a printed supplement in one of our local newspapers at least four times a year to tell everyone what I have been doing on their behalf, both in Westminster and here in Thurrock.
“In addition, I would organise regular public meetings around the constituency so people can come and question me face-to-face. My favourite political moments over recent years have been the meetings we organised in Orsett, Ockendon and Tilbury against the government’s crossing plans.
“And, of course, I would be holding regular surgeries in Thurrock and meeting with local people from all parts of our community.”
We asked John why he feels this is important to say now: “Over the past two years, and specifically over the last few weeks, many local people have told me they are fed up with Jackie Doyle-Price. There is a widespread feeling that she believes Thurrock is in her pocket and that she has no need to engage with the community. What I find telling is that it’s traditional Conservative voters as well as Labour voters telling me this. Their words are far more colourful and succinct than mine!
“Our representative in Parliament must be exactly that, our representative, and you can’t represent people without listening to them all.”
After the state of the Grays Area when you were leader of the Council, we don,t want you doing the same with the rest of Thurrock.
Willow – I think you’ll find that Labour did a great job with Thurrock given the major cuts to funding the Tories in Westminster forced on them.
John Kent is right that JD-P feels that she doesn’t have to engage with her constituents. I have heard people say that they have been ignored when asking for her to represent their views and some have even said that they got abuse from her. I, myself, have had my e-mail account blocked from conversing with JD-P despite the fact that my e-mails to her were always polite. She must have taken offence at my calling her a Tory drone in my blogs for this site and in letters to the Thurrock Gazette.