Around 70% of people locally voted to leave the European Union in what was in fact the second referendum on Europe. Many will have voted based on the belief that the nation state should be sovereign in deciding all policy, from taxes to immigration. Some may have voted based on more specific issues, like globalisation. I voted remain.

The simple answer to this question is no. We live in a society where more and more of our money is going towards keeping a roof over our heads, where more and more people are relying on food banks. Social housing offers us both much more reasonable rents and a potential foot on the housing ladder for those unlikely to have the option via other means.

Local Lib Dem, Gary Fuller has reacted with horror upon finding out that where you reside in Folkestone and Hythe can have a massive effect on how long you live. Men living in Cheriton ward live 6.2 years longer than men in Harbour ward, while women in North Downs West ward live 5.8 years longer than women living in Harbour Ward. Commenting, Gary said:

We are currently in the throes of what has been termed the "Fourth Industrial Revolution". Automation, online services, AI and the internet of things may well signal a fundamental shift in how our economy and jobs market works. The traditional high street could well disappear, to be replaced by service sector and more bespoke offerings.

A regular meet-up on the first Wednesday of every morth for Liberal Democrat members, supporters and the Lib Dem curious in the Folkestone and Hythe area!

Simply come along for a social drink and a chat: no speeches, no leaflet delivery. It's a "buy your own" event (sorry!) but come along and say hello to our Councillors, campaigners, members and friends.

The war on drugs has failed. Dealers and criminal gangs make millions from misery, while we compound it by filling prisons with people who need medical help. We make cannabis a gateway drug to far worse. Enterprising dealers create stronger strains. Meanwhile we accept the side effects of alcohol, nicotine and even caffeine, based on custom and practice.

There is no easy way to say this: our friend, member and former Councillor Kurt Stephens was killed in a motorcycle accident this afternoon in France.

Kurt was on his way with a number of other members of his Motorcycle Club to a weekend in Belgium. We understand he died in a multi-vehicle accident just after they had left Eurotunnel and onto the motorway in France.

We've seen it reported that the Government has put aside sums of money to prepare for a no deal Brexit. Some of that money is to be spent on stockpiling food. That's how serious Brexit could be for Britain. So serious we need to stockpile food.

Folkestone and Hythe will be at the rough end of any fallout from Brexit. We have some of the most deprived wards in the country, coupled with being reliant on some of the most important road and rails routes to and from the continent.