Every fortnight Kevin writes a "Kev's Column" for the Herald Express and you can read the latest edition (Published on Wednesday 10th May 2023) below:
Coronation
The Coronation of King Charles III was a great success, combining ceremonies which date back over 1,000 years, with aspects reflecting our nation today.
Whilst I had several invites, including a chance to put into a ballot for a ticket to be in Westminster Abbey, I had already decided to watch it with my Dad at his Nursing Home. As such events are more remembered by who you shared them with, rather than where you watched them.
Conservative Gain
It was great to see a Conservative Administration take control of Torbay Council after last week’s elections.
This victory was the result of hard work by the Torbay Conservative team to reach out to residents, understand their priorities and set out a positive manifesto for control of Torbay Council to deliver on them.
Given the national political situation, some commentators were surprised to see this result, yet it is one I had predicted to a political correspondent. The previous Lib Dem\Independent Coalition’s failure to deliver on a range of issues, such as Road Safety, Affordable Housing, the Pavilion, Oldway, and the Torquay Town Deal were visible to many voters. The collapse of the English Riviera Food and Music Festival just before the election also highlighting incompetence.
Torbay Conservatives were proud to take our positive message across Torbay, with a view to gaining control. Yet it became obvious some weeks ago the Lib Dem campaign was not focussing on some seats where control of Torbay Council would be decided. This was odd tactics, but we were not going to complain as it left an opportunity to target getting 19 Councillors, while they pursued other objectives.
“Independents”
A decisive factor was the collapse of the Independent Group, which lost 6 seats.
The origin of their near wipe out was a decision in 2019 to form a coalition with the Lib Dems. The people of Torbay had not voted for the Lib Dems to lead their Council, in 2019 they finished second in seats and votes, so the decision of those who described themselves as “Independents” to not only put them in power, but actively join with them turned many voters off. Silly attempts to avoid being called a coalition, like banning the term being used at Council Meetings, treated voters like fools who could see exactly what “the partnership” was.
Confirmation during election debates they would form another coalition, gave voters wanting change confirmation voting Independent would not deliver it.
Delivery
I now look forward to working with Cllr Dave Thomas and the Conservative Group as they work to deliver for our bay, by ensuring Torbay Council puts residents at the heart of everything it does.
Surgery Times
My next surgeries are on: Saturday 13th May 11am till 1pm at Paignton Library, Great Western Rd, Paignton TQ4 5AG & Saturday 27th May 11am till 1pm at Preston Baptist Church, Old Torquay Road, Paignton TQ3 2RB.
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. There are also drop-in sessions from 10am till 1pm, Monday to Friday at 5-7 East St, Torquay, TQ2 5SD where a member of my team is available to assist residents with urgent queries.
