I have been proud to lead the talented and effective Labour team on Kent County Council over the last four years. We have been the real opposition and held the Tories to account as our services have been cut and foolish policies have been overturned, such as the switching off of streetlights.

We have had our shadow team bringing knowledge and expertise to the scrutiny of Kent County Council responsibilities, on the economy, education, health, social services, transport and financial management.

This manifesto set out the Kent Labour position on these key local services. Above all, we believe that austerity has gone too far, there is much too much privatisation taking control of our local services and there needs to be more local solutions to our complex issues.

Labour Councillors love our County of Kent. However, we believe there is too much inequality hidden beneath the surface of prosperity. We want to see greater fairness at work, in schools and in the health service.

We believe that the County is heading for chaos unless there is a lot more investment in our infrastructure. Our roads are crowded and poorly maintained.

This Manifesto sets forth the values and policies that Labour Councillors will fight for after the elections in May.

Gordon Cowan (Dover Town)
Leader of the Labour Group on Kent County Council