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Mea Culpa
One of the many highlights of today was to welcome the Team 2015 Battle Bus, bringing 70 activists from London to assist Kelly's campaign. Their commitment, energy and enthusiasm was amazing and I look...
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A picture speaks a thousand words....
A picture speaks a thousand words....(or what happens when the folding machine jams)
View ArticleSuccess has many fathers...
Regular visitors will know that I have not blogged for the last seven weeks, and deliberately so. Having been invited to help run the Rochester & Strood Parliamentary By Election I had no intention...
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The West Kent genius strikes again
The first day back and top of my list is to organise the West Kent Office Volunteers Christmas Thank You Lunch. The Director of Paperclips is looking at the office diary - I am online looking at...
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A new strategist joins the West Kent team
We were delighted yesterday to welcome a new political strategist and personal adviser to the West Kent team. This latest recruit comes with outstanding Parliamentary experience...Charlie Grant was...
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The Great Tunbridge Wells Bake Off
I received a message this morning from Cllr David Elliott, the popular and hard working Deputy Chairman (Political) of the Tunbridge Wells Conservative Association. "Hello Andrew, welcome back from...
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Botten & Elks - Frightening residents all the time - not just at election time!
Well done to our two youngest candidates in Tonbridge & Malling, Benjamin Elks and our very own Director of Paperclips, Jon Botten. Despite the dark nights and bitterly cold weather, they are out...
View ArticleBloody cheek!
A couple of local members gate crashed an event I organised at this year's Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham. They refused to pay as "we arrived late and there was nothing left to eat" but...
View ArticleTwenty firsts
I have been nominated by various friends on social media to partipate in this "twenty firsts" round robin - here goes"TWENTY FIRSTSFirst JobA Summer job packing lettuce at the local market garden.First...
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Brief Encounter (on the 1201 from Paddock Wood)
Every few months I meet with Tom Tugendhat in London for lunch. I would like to say it's to discuss strategy. In fairness we do talk strategy, though I certainly don't always remember the finer...
View ArticleTom Tugendhat's audition for Strictly Come Dancing
By popular demand, and with his couragous consent, here is Tom Tugendhat dancing on stage with Tonbridge & Malling Mayor Sasha Luck, at the annual switch-on of West Malling's Christmas Lights.Well...
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Ho! Ho! Ho! Design A Christmas Card Competition winners
I am delighted that three of the five MPs/PPCs I work with have organised "Design My Christmas Card" competitions among local children - some via primary schools, others using youth clubs and / or...
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The ultimate example of "Dad Dancing"
Working with large teams of fabulous volunteers is a privilege and often great fun. It can also provide regular "butt clenching" moments when words literally fail. Such as the time a delightful lady in...
View Article18 months later..... the ripples are still lapping the banks
In the middle of last year I published a post about a few struggles I had been through 6 years earlier with anxiety. I won't rewrite the article again, but for those who might wish to read it, please...
View ArticleHow to lose friends and alienate people!
I have just been chatting on Facebook to a certain parliamentary candidate who shall remain nameless. I asked her about her new house; she has just picked up the keys and is starting to decorate...
View ArticleThe Christmas Post
I run the risk of ruffling a few feathers, but I need to get this off my chest. The one thing during the Season of Goodwill which is guaranteed to raise my hackles is fending off "elected...
View ArticleSetting out the facts on Local Government Selections
The West Kent Group covers (in whole or in part) six district councils and five "political" town councils. Of the six districts, two elect in thirds the other four are "all out". This has resulted in...
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Scrooge comes to West Kent Towers
Group Treasurer Allan Sullivan brought the joy of Christmas to West Kent Towers today as he came in to start work on the annual accounts. Happy Christmas.
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A cast of thousands...
I am just back home having hosted the first of the series of Election Briefing Meetings I hold each year to bring all candidates and MPs up to speed with election plans and strategy. Tonight's meeting...
View ArticleThe right and honourable thing to do
There has been much in the news over the last few days about Rochester & Strood Conservative Association's decision to serve a County Court Summons on Mark Reckless and his Agent Chris Irvine over...
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