We're starting today's episode with reaction to the shock political news that Natalie Elphicke has defected to Labour.
The Dover MP released a statement criticising the Prime Minister's record on tackling small boat crossings - saying he's 'failing to keep our borders safe and secure'.
Hear from a leading charity in Dover that works with asylum seekers, we have also spoken to the leader of Dover District Council and Rochester and Strood rep Kelly Tolhurst.
Also in today's podcast, drivers have reported having to queue for an hour to pay to get out of a car park in Folkestone after new charges were introduced.
Cameras have also been installed at the site on Sandgate Road. Kate joins us with the details.
Volunteers at a youth club in north Kent have started a petition after it was forced to close.
The facility on Hall Road in Northfleet is one of a number across the county that have shut - as the county council creates 'family hubs' instead. Hear from a teenager who worked there, and a mum whose son used to go along.
A Kent school's been given funding to take children to visit an art gallery, as figures show more than a quarter of pupils across the country haven't been on a school trip.
Long Mead Community Primary in Tonbridge took the Year 4 and 5 classes to the Turner Contemporary in Margate.
And in football, there'll be an open-top bus parade this weekend to celebrate Bromley's pomotion into league two...
They beat Solihull Moors on penalties in their final at Wembley.
Can I also warmly welcome the new Labour MP for Dover to do these pensions? Yep, that's the moment it was confirmed Natalie Alphic has defected from the Conservatives. The Dover rep released a statement criticising the Prime Minister's record on tackling small boat crossings, saying he's failing to keep our borders safe and secure. But that was something Rishi Sunak denied during yesterday's PMQs. Since I became Prime Minister, small boat crossings are down by a third. That's because we've doubled NCA funding, increased enforcement rates, closed bank accounts, deported 24,000 people, processed small claims and Mr Speaker. When it comes to border control, there is a crucial difference between us. We want secure borders, he's happy with open borders. Well, let's hear more from Natalie Alphic on why she made the switch. In 2019, the Conservatives stood on a manifesto that was very much centre ground. But under Rishi Sunak, they've abandoned the centre ground and broken many election promises. Meanwhile, under Kiaestama, Labour have changed. And I think that change is going to bring a much better future for our country. And that's why I'm so keen to join the Labour Party and play my part in bringing that important future forward. In the past, you've criticised Labour's immigration policy. You said that Labour's policy was open borders, pro-immigration. It doesn't want to stop the boats. Labour cannot be trusted on immigration. Have you changed your mind on that? And just again, have Labour offered you a pillage? So under Rishi Sunak, he is the man who said he would stop the boats. And yet, when we look at this year alone, it's record numbers of small boats' arrivals. So he's not stopping the boats and he's letting the country down. Well, meanwhile, under Labour, they are clear that they are important to have defence and they want to make sure that they have good national security. So I think we should have confidence that Labour are the party who will tackle this issue of the small boats. Now, let's find out what's being made of the move then. Kay Marsh is from Samfyre, which works with asylum seekers in Dover. She's been giving her reaction to KMTV's Gabriel Morris. Flabbergasted, absolutely, it's come completely out of left field. The most unexpected news I think I've ever heard. Obviously, she's cited border security as her reason for moving over. Absolutely, that inside you do not know. Yeah, it's certainly interesting. Do you think, I mean, she's been on the right side of the Conservative party. And I think it's fair to say that it's gone to the Labour party now. I mean, do you think we might have a change in attitude from Natalie? No, I don't think so. Obviously, we're hearing that she won't be standing in the election. So they will be continuing with the Labour hopeful candidate Mike Tap. He had, you know, people were pretty confident he was going to get in anyway. And this could potentially make this better for him. But I guess it all depends on who they do stand in place of her. She does say the Conservatives have failed to keep the borders secure. I cannot be trusted. Do you agree with what she says there? Oh, yes. I mean, it's obvious, isn't it? The Conservative party, I'm not handling it very well. It doesn't matter what side of the situation you sit on. Everybody knows that now. So from that perspective, I can fully understand why she has made this move. Yeah, I don't think she'll change her attitude. Or perhaps, you know, perhaps she will. I mean, it's just really difficult to comment on it, isn't it? Yeah. You're pushing for safe and legal passages. That's what your organization charity campaigns for to come close to the UK. Do you think you would see that under a Labour government? And do you think having a Labour MP for your charities is stepping the right direction? Best of a bad situation, possibly. It might be our best chance at safe legal routes, perhaps. Under the current Labour government, I really don't know. Honestly, it's been mentioned by most parties, you know, but not very concretely and nothing in place to say, this is what we're going to do and this is when we're going to do it. So yeah, just as much in the dark as I was under the Tories, I would say remaining hopeful. We can hear next from Kevin Mills. He's the Labour leader of Dover District Council. I think what it does highlight is the dispat satisfaction that a number of MPs have got with the current government. And that, quite honestly, the only future for this country is the Labour government. So I mean, I think that sends out a very clear and distinct message to the country, but particularly to this district, that you have one option now, and that's to vote for my tap to be the MP come the general election, whenever that may be called. But having read some of the sentiments from Natalie when she left, she's very anti-what this current government are doing, particularly in relation to housing, the future opportunities, and I think the list goes on. So she's joined the Labour party. She obviously sees Kirsten when the Labour party is the future. Well, she was considered quite a right-wing and conservative. I mean, is she going to make a good Labour MP till about whenever that general election is called? Well, I've already invited her in to meet with her because she will be the current MP. She's now changed the colour of a rosette. And obviously, we'd like to see what she can do for the district between now and the next general election, which I have to say I hope is sooner rather than later. And finally, here's Conservative MP for Rochester and Strewd Kelly Tolhurst. I'm very surprised because Natalie had always been very critical of Labour as a Kent MP. Ultimately, it's down to her. I'm not too sure what to do. She's done about her future. It's disappointing. Do I agree with her? Absolutely not. We have been working really hard to tackle the small boat situation. And interestingly enough, I think like many people, very surprised, disappointed. But I think this is more about person than about actually what's happening on the ground. It can let us know what you think by commenting on the story at Kent Online. We'll also have reaction and analysis in tomorrow's Kent Politics podcast. You can get that from IM-listening or wherever you get your podcasts. Kent Online News. Other top stories for you today and a motorcyclist has been flown to a London hospital following a crash on the A249 near Sittingborne. The bike collided with van on the northbound carriageway between the stopry roundabout and the A2 last night. The road had to be closed for the air ambulance to land causing delays during rush hour. Figures show more than 1,200 asylum seekers have crossed the channel to Kent so far this month. The government say they've stopped publishing the number of boats that are prevented following consultation with the French. They only started releasing the stats less than a week ago. Police are hunting a driver who fled the scene of a crash in Ramsgate. The two-car collision happened on Nethercourt Hill yesterday afternoon and by the time officers had arrived, one of the cars had driven off. Meantime, a man's been arrested following a police chase in Ramsgate. A car was driven through a red light and crushed into three other vehicles in Manston Road on Tuesday. Officers found a baseball bat and drugs in the car. A 31-year-old from Margate has been questioned. Now, this is one of our most read stories on the website today. Drivers have reported having to queue for an hour to pay to get out of a car park in Folkston. After new charges were introduced or case, got the details for the podcast. Well, we've been hearing how few goers were forced to stand in the underground Sandgate Road car park just to pay for a ticket. It followed a gig by Frank Skinner at the nearby Lee's Cliff Hall. Previously, he didn't have to pay after 6 p.m. But that's been moved to 9 p.m. And an automatic number plate recognition system has been installed. That works by taking a picture of your registration as you drive in. You then pay before leaving after it works out how long you've stayed for. So what have customers said, Kate? Well, there are currently just two ticket machines. And drivers say that's simply not enough. One lady told us she thinks a card swipe system at the barrier would be much quicker. She went on to say that thankfully the audience members were very patient, but fears that might not always be the case. And what if the council had to say? Well, they've told us they are aware of the delays and say two additional mini touchscreen payment terminals have been ordered. They're due to be installed later this month. It's hoped that will reduce the waiting times people have been experiencing. However, they are also encouraging people to use the automobile payment system so you can pay on your mobile. Now, this parking system is a 12 month trial. And if successful, it will be rolled out to other car parks in the town. Kate, thank you ever so much. Kent Online reports. A Kent restaurant listed in the Michelin Guide has been hit with a one-star hygiene rating. Inspectors found raw chicken next to goat's cheese in the fridge at the chef's table in West Moreling. And said the chef only washed his hands while prompted. Bosses say they're confident they'll surpass the highest standards when they're checked again. Repairs have been carried out overnight after a power supply issue disrupted trains between Tumbridge and Hastings. Some passengers were left stuck when part of the track melted at Tumbridge Wells yesterday evening. Services are now back to normal. A favivision mum says she's been left in limbo after her landlord warned they're planning to sell up. Lisa Silcox faces what's known as a no-fault eviction. But has been told she can't register for council housing until it's arrived in writing. But the 39-year-old mum of two says it feels really unhealthy to be so insecure. Council bosses say they are sympathetic to her situation and a team will go through the options available. Now volunteers at a youth club in North Kent have started a petition after it was forced to close. The facility on Hall Road in North Fleet is one of a number across the county that are happening to shut as the county council creates family hubs instead. This is something that you may have heard about in previous episodes of the podcast. It's all being done to save the authority money. Well Joseph Kent is one of those volunteers. He's been telling us how much the club has meant to him. I've been coming here for about five or six years and I feel like for me personally as well it's kind of helped me build my confidence and it's helped kind of make me a better person. And I like coming here every week like working with the kids and helping out. And I feel like it's not only a disservice to the young people that need to come here but also kind of like people who can come and volunteer or people that can help out and sort of like get experience. And especially a while ago there was stuff in the news like the government saying oh more young people should go out and volunteer. But then if they're going to shut down places that we can volunteer out. How are we supposed to do that? Yeah that's true. So did you used to start here as a sort of as a job? No I started as a volunteer because I came through one of the staff members here. She kind of worked with my family and she worked with me as well. And she suggested I come here to volunteer to kind of like build up myself and I feel like that really did it really has helped me in life and I feel like I'm really grateful for this place and it's kind of really sad that other people wouldn't get the same opportunities and a lot of kids wouldn't get the same opportunities to come here make friends and be a part of this community. Mum and Adam Murphy has been chatting to reporter Keely Greenwood. I have a son. He has quite a few of his friends that come. They're all eight, nine years old and it's been lovely that he started coming because one of his school friends came and then we came and then we started bringing other kids that he knows and they loved it. It's just for eight, nine years old it's that little bit of independence. It's that first step to do in the round thing where it's not school and it's not with the parents and they just adored it and he came in to quote him or other on. He came in as a very shy guy. Like he built his confidence. They helped it. I mean it's the only club I've ever heard of where he had a dedicated one-to-one. Like they had a whole team who would just recognise the kids' needs. He had his own one-to-one, other kids had their own one-to-one and it would help them just develop and grow and it's just really sad that they've had to sort of give it up especially with very little notice. Like they literally had, we got told two weeks before it closed. Like next week's the last week and we were just like, but they love it. And when you're trying to explain to eight, nine-year-olds, it's something that they love. It's just going away at the last minute. It was really, it was a horrible thing to have to do as a parent. So no, they don't. No, we don't just send it. So why would they at their age? So and it's also nice to be able to play not into football or boxing or karate. It's just some way you can go just to do it. Yeah, and it was lovely because you could do sports and you could play games and they had board games and they could have snacks and they could cook their food if they wanted to and it was just a really lovely thing for them to do. And I know that him and his friends that came here were absolutely devastated when we had to tell them they were so upset. Well, we have had a statement through from KCC. This is what their spokesperson had to say. The decision not to recommission additional youth services when their contracts expired in March was driven by the need for KCC to make savings totaling £58 million this financial year. The overall savings made by not renewing these contracts is £913,000. They add, "We know residents of all ages value our services, but we must adapt to the hard financial realities." In the face of these well documented challenges, moving to family hubs will help us better target services to young people where they're needed most through a mix of onsite online and community settings. Finally, they say together with our partners who are working to ensure this transition is as smooth as possible. And they add, "We're also offering support to all affected youth groups, and we'll continue to work with any community groups able to provide services to Kent's young people." Kent's online reports. Plans have been put in for a new business park and two drive-throughs in Sheness, the site is between Brahe Way and Newland Road and we're told the development could create up to 50 jobs. We don't know yet what fast food chains would move there, but developers say they've had lots of early interest. A customer has shared their shock online at paying £9.50 for a drink in Folkestone. They ordered the can of wine at the pilot bar on the harbour arm over the bank holiday weekend. Buses for the rock salt group, which operate the site, say Cosmoore to produce wine in a can, then a bottle. A sensory place centre is due to open in-cellage, and a bid to help children with additional needs. A mum has been inspired after her own daughter was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition, which causes learning difficulties, while it's due to welcome parents and youngsters from next month. Now, Kent's school has been given funding to take children to visit an art gallery, as figures given to the podcast show more than a quarter of pupils across the country haven't been on a school trip. Long-meade community primary in Tumbridge took the year four and five classes to the Turner Contemporary in Margate. They used money from the Great British School Trip Program, which aims to improve opportunities for young people. Kate has been speaking to Karen Follows from Longmeade Primary. The children just got so much out of it. They were so enthusiastic when I told them that we were going, not only to the seaside, but to an art gallery. Most of our kids here haven't been to either, so to be able to take them was amazing. And as we get there and we're looking around the galleries and then we got to do artwork as well, you could just see them. So developing confidence as the day went on and real enthusiasm. So it was a wonderful school trip. And you mentioned, so for some of them it was the first trip to an art museum. It was the first trip to the seaside as well. Was this some of the students, was this some as their first school trip all together? They'd never been on one before? We do try and get them out, but normally we go very local, because it's the expense of school trips, which is one of the things that stops most schools taking their children out. Of coaches is huge. And a lot of our families can't afford it. So I took 35 children and out of them, 57% were from disadvantaged families. And the expense of going on a school trip, we just wouldn't normally be able to cover that. The families can't afford it and I can't afford to subsidize that number of children from our normal school budget either. You know, all that, all the money is spent on the teaching and learning within the school. So these are obstacles that just the finances aren't there for. Have you noticed a difference in the students since they, since you've been on the school trip now that they've come back to the school environment? Has there been any difference in the kids? Do you think that they've been given a lift maybe from going out? Absolutely. I mean, it has been the main topic of conversation since we got back. It's about giving them courage to try things outside of the comfort zone. And we talked a lot about being brave and taking risks, because this wasn't in their comfort zone. It wasn't something that they could relate to before. And so we've related that bravery back to their work that they do in the classroom, when they're faced with a problem that they don't know how to answer, that we can use that same courage, that same bravery as they showed on the trip, but maybe in the maths work or the English work or the science work, you know, when they get stuck within their learning. So yes, not only has it helped the art and that sort of side, but actually is impacting the whole learning and making some lovely memories. You know, the kids have been so excited and coming up and talking about the day with me and what we did and what they made. And it looked like Kent's Tony Hudger will get another chance to go to a royal garden party at Buckingham Palace. The nine-year-old who's raised millions for charity got stuck in traffic following a lorry fire on the M20 yesterday, so couldn't make the event. Were the royal families posted on socials, asking if he wants to try again another day. Kent's online sport. For bull and there'll be an open top bus parade this weekend to celebrate Bromley's promotion into League 2. They beat Sully Hallmores on penalties in their final at Wembley. Players will be joined by fans in the town centre on Saturday. And Chatham Town, again host Gillingham in a pre-season friendly this summer. The match has been confirmed for a Friday evening. On July the 19th, we're told tickets will be released online soon. Well, that's all from us for today. Thanks ever so much for listening. Don't forget, you can follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok and threads. You can also get details on the top stories, direct to your email each morning via the briefing. To sign up to that, just head to kentonline.co.uk. And whilst you're on the site today, don't forget to check out our latest, Eat My Words food review. News you can trust. This is the Kent Online Podcast.
