The call for a People's Vote and a final say on Brexit is getting louder by the day.

In June, more than 100,000 people from all walks of life marched on Parliament to demand their democratic voice is heard.

A crisis is coming this Autumn when MPs will have to decide whether to make our country poorer, trash our vital public services and wreck the life chances of the young or give us all a People's Vote on any Brexit deal.

As Government announces 'Green Great Britain Week', Lib Dems say policies don't go far enough
Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson for Transport, Baroness Randerson, unveils suite of policies in report entitled 'Cleaning up the air we breathe'

Kent Liberal Democrats are calling for a ban on the sale of all new diesel cars and vans by 2025 as part of a range of measures designed to reduce air pollution and safeguard public health.

Guest Speaker Sir Simon Hughes former MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark

Saturday 27th October 2018 12.30 for 13.00

Ash Village Hall, Queens Road, Ash, Nr. Canterbury CT3 2BG

RSVP Linda Hook 01304 380787 or l.a.hook@outlook.com by 13th October

Tickets £25. Bar available.

Folkestone and Hythe Lib Dems are delighted to welcome Jason Hunter who will be giving us the scary facts, but only the facts, of Brexit and where the UK stands on 31st October.

Jason Hunter is a well known anti-Brexit campaigner on Twitter, and also one third of "Three blokes in a Pub": real people with real expertise (and fizzy beer) who discuss what Brexit will really mean, and what the current state of play is.

Kent Liberal Democrats have called for a ban on HGVs using the outside lane of the M20 during Operation Brock, the controversial traffic management system planned to mitigate some of the traffic chaos caused by Brexit.

If the UK leaves the customs union, the introduction of customs checks at the Port of Dover will massively increase the amount of time it takes for lorries to move through the port, causing a serious bottleneck and huge tailbacks on both sides of the Channel.

The Government's solution, dubbed 'Operation Block', will use the southbound carriageway of the M20 between junctions 8 and 9 to park lorries destined for Europe. Other traffic would be diverted onto the northbound carriageway in a contra-flow system.

Kent Liberal Democrats argue the plan will cause a severe bottleneck, gridlocking Ashford and Maidstone town centres and the surrounding roads. The narrow lanes in the contra-flow may also pose a danger to motorists, particularly if large lorries are allowed to overtake.

In response, Opposition Leader Rob Bird has written to Jim O'Sullivan, Chief Executive of Highways England, calling for a ban on HGVs using the outside lane when Operation Brock is in place.

A similar ban has been in force on the M11 since March 2017.

The party is also calling for a ban on HGV overtaking on the stretches of the M20 affected by ongoing roadworks. Highways England is carrying out work between junctions 3 and 5 as part of the installation of 'smart motorway' technology.

Drivers also have to contend with work between junctions 8 and 9, being done in preparation for Operation Brock.

As part of the work, the open lanes have been narrowed, leaving little room for the thousands of lorries that use the M20 every day. Despite the 50mph limit in force, motorists have already reported dangerous overtaking manoeuvres by HGVs, as well as left hand drive vehicles straddling both narrow lanes.

Cllr Rob Bird, Leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition on Kent County Council, wrote: "As we have seen several times recently, accidents involving HGVs in this stretch of the M20 often result in the temporary closure of the motorway with a devastating impact on traffic congestion in the surrounding area. Yet, with 50mph limits in place, HGV drivers have little to gain from attempting to overtake each other.

"Will Highways England impose a ban on HGVs blocking the outside lane of the M20 between junctions 8 and 9 during the current works and whenever the motorway is operating as a two-lane contraflow under Operation Brock?"

Cllr Bird said: "Kent drivers will suffer enough in the event we leave the customs union, with the county potentially facing permanent gridlock. Frustration is one thing, but drivers should not be put at risk by HGVs performing dangerous overtaking manoeuvres.

It is only right that Highways England does what it can to ensure drivers' safety during Operation Brock, and while this road work is being completed. There is a precedent for banning HGVs from the outside lane during roadworks, and this move will help avoid delays and perhaps even a serious accident."

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.

Anyone who takes a walk around our streets will tell you that low level anti-social behaviour, such as littering, graffiti and dog fouling is rife. Our hard-working Police and Councils do seek to tackle such things, but they simply lack the resources to employ the people needed to make a meaningful difference. Couple that with their tendency to focus resources on areas that generate revenue for the town, and some areas are left looking ill-used at best.

This year's Autumn South East Region Lib Dem Conference is in Canterbury, and as ever, all members are more than welcome to attend.

The Folkestone and Hythe Lib Dems hope to take a few car loads of people along: if you would like a lift, or can offer one, then join us in coming along! To let us know you are coming to arrange travel, please contact Kate on kate@shepwaylibdems.org.uk or call on 01303 278791.