Maidstone Greens are to protest against the “Death of Local Democracy” outside County Hall in Maidstone on Thursday 9th Jan between 9am and 10am, just before Kent County Councillors decide whether to approve the current leader’s intention/wish to cancel the May local elections. Greens from across Kent will be joining this protest. The current KCC leader wants devolution to come to Kent as a priority and cancelling elections is seen as a route to this.
Maidstone Green Party Cllr Stephen Thompson said “The idea that democracy can be cancelled to speed up devolution is simply ludicrous. The devolution changes, including abolishing county and district councils, require a democratic mandate. Cancelling the elections gives a democratic deficit.
“We need councillors in KCC who have a mandate from the people of Kent to make the difficult decisions that we face. Democracy is essential and the May elections must go ahead.”