Every fortnight Kevin writes a special "Kev's Column" for the Torbay Weekly and you can read the latest edition (Published on Thursday 19th May 2022) below:
Eurovision
After last years “Nul Points” it was great to see Sam Ryder top the jury vote and achieve the UK’s best Eurovision finish since 1998.
Since 2003 UK Eurovision entries have struggled to gather many points. Political factors, such as the Iraq War or Brexit, have often been cited as the reason for our poor performance in a contest famous for voting patterns like Cyprus constantly giving 12 points to Greece due to the well-known community divisions on the island. This year a strong UK act, with a good performance, showed what can be achieved.
Yet with a tidal wave of public support and sympathy across Europe there could only be one winner, Ukraine, who even managed to get the 12 points from the public vote in Cyprus which for decades had only 1 destination. Whilst theoretically this vote was for a song contest, the symbolism of such support following Putin’s attack is immense.
As the winners Ukraine will be the host of next year’s contest, which will be an immense challenge in a country which has seen heavy fighting and much of its infrastructure destroyed. Yet there is no reason why other nations, including ours, cannot make this happen. It will not just be another Eurovision, but a powerful symbol of a free Ukraine.
NATO
Putin thought threatening his democratic neighbours would see their resolve weaken, instead it has strengthened their will to defend their freedoms.
The moves by Finland and Sweden to join NATO show how badly he miscalculated. Faced with a hostile regime which has invaded its neighbours, it is no surprise they now wish the protection of an alliance which since 1949 has preserved peace and democracy, through its collective defence provisions. An attack on one being an attack on all is a powerful deterrent against aggression, making war a futile exercise for the aggressor. This deterrent will become even more powerful with Sweden and Finland’s capable armed forces as part of it.
We should therefore welcome both countries into NATO.
Nurses Day
International Nurses Day last week was especially poignant as it was the day my Dad moved into a nursing home due to his care needs increasing.
Whilst I do not discuss my Dad’s care more widely, as he does not lose his right to privacy purely because his son is the local MP, he had previously been cared for at Sundial Lodge. I would like to publicly thank the team there who treated him with care and compassion, especially during the lockdown periods which were exceptionally challenging times for all social care workers.
Surgery Times
My next surgeries are on: Saturday 21st May 11am till 1pm at Paignton Library and Information Centre, Great Western Rd, Paignton TQ4 5AG and Friday 27th May 10am till 12pm at 5-7 East St, Torquay, TQ2 5SD.
For an appointment you can either email me at [email protected] or leave a message on 01803 214989, surgeries are for personal queries from residents they would like me to help them with, such as housing or welfare, rather than a wider policy debate. There are also drop-in sessions at my office 5-7 East St, Torquay, TQ2 5SD between 10am & 1pm Monday to Friday where a member of my team will be available to help with any queries.
