Schools and housing spark election debate

By chronicle reporters reporters@sevenoaks-chronicle.co.uk

SEVENOAKS' Conservative and Labour candidates emerged as the frontrunners of the district's parliamentary campaign, following an audience survey carried out by the Sevenoaks Chronicle.

During a heated debate, local representatives of the three main parties went head to head on how they thought key issues should be dealt with in the best interest of Sevenoaks' people.

Hot topics included schools, expenses, MPs' second home and how best to protect the Government.

Schools and young people proved a particularly contentious issue when one audience member, Anna Firth of Homedean Road, Chipstead, asked what was to be done about the lack of grammar school places for Sevenoaks children.

Current Sevenoaks MP Michael Fallon said the problem had been getting worse, and that 311 places had been handed to out-of-county children last September.

He said: "I believe we have to change the law and give Kent children absolute preference over non Kent children.

"We have to add more places, and we could do with more places here."

He suggested he wanted the Knole Academy to succeed, and added one of the Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells grammar schools could open a campus on the vacated site of the Bradbourne School.

Liberal Democrat Alan Bullion, Independent candidate Mark Ellis and UKIP member Chris Heath all spoke in support of grammar schools, the latter suggesting his policy would be to purchase the BT building and build a grammar school on the site.

But Labour candidate Gareth Siddorn, who is not in favour of the 11 plus system, said the question over the rights and wrongs of the selection process was a different debate.

A-level student Charlie Thomas, 16, of Mount Harry Road, Sevenoaks, asked the candidates what they would do to encourage young voters into the polling station.

Mr Bullion spoke of how he was using Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to communicate with youngsters, as well as canvassing door to door.

Mr Fallon said it was important to focus on issues concerning young people and students, and criticised the current level of youth unemployment – the highest since 1994.

Mr Siddorn said he thought politics should be more representative so that the system was more accessible, and a constitutional reform should be undertaken swiftly.

Concerns over the future of Sevenoaks' green belt was raised by James London of Granville Road, Sevenoaks.

UKIP's Chris Heath said he would clamp down on immigration, reducing the number of people needing houses.

"I am a strong believer in green belt land and I think it was a poor decision to build the extra homes in Dunton Green," added independent candidate Mark Ellis.

"There is environmental land just nearby and it will have a terrible effect on the wildlife there."

According to Mr Siddorn, protected land is "crucial" to the unique feel of Sevenoaks.

"Riverhead used to be a distinct village," he said. "But following development it has now almost turned into an overspill from Sevenoaks.

"There is a need for affordable housing but development should be done on brownfield sites."

Mr Fallon accused Labour of removing planning powers from local councils and creating "unrealistic" targets for new homes in the district.

Discussions over the green belt sparked criticism from the audience over the planned West Kent Cold Store development in Dunton Green.

Mrs Roberts of Riverhead, said local roads, schools and services could not support the proposed homes development on the site.

Mr Fallon fell under fire from members of the audience and other candidates over his involvement in the expenses scandal.

Asked how he would explain his change in attitude towards second homes he answered:

"The law has changed now and so I have to accept that.

"A few years ago, because of the hours I worked, I was getting home at midnight and leaving at 7am, and I, like so many of my predecessors, felt I needed a second home.

"My hours have now changed and I am only going up to parliament Monday to Thursday, which obviously makes it easier."

He also defended his second job, explaining it was fully declared and helped him to be "part of the real world".

Mr Siddorn responded: "I am not sure which world you live in, but most people do not count working at a hedge fund as their second job."

In answer to a question regarding how to improve voter confidence following the expenses scandal, Mr Bullion declared that, if elected, he would give part of his the £65,000 Mp's pay to charity and would not take on a second job.

Chris Heath vowed he too would go without, saying MPs should not be allowed to claim any expenses.

Inspired by Monday night's debate, Chipstead man John Butterworth will be voting next week for the first time in 20 years.

He said: "I couldn't bring myself to vote Liberal when I grew tired with Maggie Thatcher, but now is a good time for everyone to stand up and be counted."