Lib Dems Trounce Conservative and Labour in South Kent College Poll

9.00.00pm GMT Tue 16th Mar 2010

Following an election hustings meeting on Monday 15th March at South Kent College in Folkestone, a ballot of students saw Liberal Democrat Candidate Lynne Beaumont win a landslide victory, with more votes than Labour and Conservatives combined.

The Hustings meeting was held at the Shorncliffe Road site of South Kent College.

Lynne Beaumont, the Liberal Democrat candidate for Folkestone and Hythe, along with Damian Collins from the Conservatives and Donald Worsley from the Labour Party, took part in a questions and answers debate with about 100 students from the college. A secret vote was held at the end, with the result declared as:

• Lib Dems 66%

• Conservative 19%

• Labour 15%

Questions were varied, from the economy and jobs, to the rights and wrongs of a new nuclear power station, and the expansion of Lydd Airport. Unemployment, and the lack of employment opportunities for young adults were high on the list of priorities.

Lynne said:

"I am delighted with this result, and really grateful to the students of South Kent College for listening and their support.

"This shows that people are ready for a change. People are ready to look at the candidates, and vote for the candidate they think is best suited to represent them in Parliament. I look forward to talking to many more people right across our area."