I SPENT a fair amount of time earlier this year reporting on the activities of Allhallows Parish Council.

It is one of those authorities to which the Prime Minister wants to hand over greater responsibility. The trouble is, most parish councils in Kent are self-perpetuating oligarchies.

They have insufficient candidates and select from friends and "interested" individuals. It rapidly opens the way to abuse of the system as I immediately discovered the minute I turned up for my first meeting.

"Who are you?" and "What do you want?" were rapidly followed by a refusal to make available papers to which any member of the public is legally entitled - agendas, minutes and any reports.

The problem in the village of Allhallows was the youth club had become a very popular attraction for the local kids who had nowhere else to go.

A couple of recently-appointed councillors had got to grips with the problem, taken over The Brimp (a tatty old builders' hut complex), roused local support from kids, parents and assorted adults, and transformed it.

That upset the Old School of Benevolents who handed out grants, ran a handful of activities and claimed the praise for so doing. They tried to shut it.

They were up against some angry residents.

The most disgraceful thing (for any observer or believer - however jaded - in democracy) was the way the local police support officer was ticked off in public by a councillor for having the temerity to praise the club for the work it was doing with the young people..

Several residents decided to force an election last May.

Hate and abuse messages started to fly through the ethernet, by phone, through whispering campaigns and even at this blog.

The election went ahead, and most of the old school was turfed out.

I raise this issue five months later because in the past few days the newlook parish council has won two of the top five awards in this year's Kent Village of the Year competition.

One was for best newcomer.

The other was for The Brimp - taking the best Social Action award.

It pays over £3,000 a year as a mayoral allowance, it still has a mayor's chain, and the recipient of the mayoral thousands wears the civic bling.

It simply lacks a mayor.

The man appointed to the position, Cllr Tony Searles, decided off his own bat to drop the title - and become the council's chairman.

No one seems to have approved the decision, consulted on it, or bothered to tell the person who runs their website which introduces Swanley Town Council with these words: "It is essentially a parish council but has adopted town status which means the chairman of the town cCouncil is designated mayor."

I had not been on a personal holiday with my wife for 15 months, partly because my job as a travel writer takes me to holiday destinations at least once a month. But last week we flew to Dubai.

Dubai may be a strange choice for a travel writer, almost like a food critic going to McDonalds for a meal. But what Dubai lacks in cultural diversity it more than makes up for in what it has to offer for every member of the family. Everyone speaks English and the time difference is just three hours so there is no jet lag. It has guaranteed sunshine, which practically no other tourist destination in the world can offer. The sea is calm and warm and there are enough shops to spend a lifetime in, and all of them are tax free. There is virtually no crime, so you are unlikely to be mugged, carjacked or attacked and all the hotels cater for children and have crèches. Also there are several water parks so children will not be bored.

I doubt Dubai will be ever be affected by terrorism either, as if I were one, I would be laundering my cash there instead.

My wife and I in recent years have both turned down jobs in Dubai in order to continue to live in Kent. Whilst at the time we hoped to never regret the choice it seems we made the right decision’s as Dubai is the city that never was. Just before the recession half of Dubai was still a huge sandpit of development. I first went there in 2002. So even in the five years up to the start of the world recession, there were more construction workers than tourists. Property prices trebled, and people were still buying Dubai apartments right up to the recession. It took a bit longer for the shocks to reach Dubai, but when it did people suffered. We had friends who lost their jobs, left their expensive cars at the airport and fled back to England (You are not allowed debt in Dubai as you can be jailed).

Whilst most of the construction is now completed, there are now many empty apartments and people are looking for work rather than the work looking for them. Oil and tourism though will always be there and the opportunity for a sun-kissed tax-free salary in any occupation awaits. But if you say or do the wrong thing, you are in trouble.

You do not want to scratch the surface here, and whilst Dubai is not a democracy there is subtle censorship, from small things like TV stations reporting the weather as cooler than it really is (over a certain temperature construction workers do not have to work) to more obvious censorship. This does not make it a bad place, but the old adage “All that Glitters is not Gold” could not be more appropriate for Dubai.

The vultures are circling; the press is the enemy within. I will not regurgitate the allegations about the News of the World or the rumours surrounding other newspapers, this has been recycled for the last 72 hours; nor will articulate the political fallout – both David Cameron and Ed Miliband hired former News International employees (both have allegations about them). And Labour and Tories were both guests at a recent dinner party, hosted by Murdoch.

Instead, I wish to raise one point. The press in general. Limited reports are suggesting ordinary journalists are witnessing hostility from the public. Andrew Gilligan noted a wave of e-mails, criticising his work and abilities as a journalists, something he has never witnessed. According to Mr Gilligan he is not the only journalist to experience this.

McCarthyism-esque inquiries will damage our reputation as a democracy – a free press is fundamental to holding the government to account. Regulation on their abilities to conduct investigation journalism would be a disaster for Britain. Yes, the hacking scandal was immoral, but it was a failure of the criminal justice system. It was the Metropolitan Police which warned against a public inquiry and turned a blind eye to criminality at a variety of news papers.

Let's not throw the baby out with the bath water. You might find the press irritating. But as Edmund Burke elegantly pointed out, the press are the fourth estate and the true guardians of liberty.

The first of the new guest post feature. Liam Batch, A Level politics student from Kent, writes about the lack of environmental discussion by our political leaders.

With issues cropping up in recent years such as the recession, civil unrest in Libya and Egypt, controversy over wiki-leaks and the infamous ash cloud which to their credit, are all topics that cannot be understated in their importance, it appears however that one topic is slowly disappearing away from both the political agenda, and from the headlines.

The state of the environment has been subject to much anxiety and concern in previous years, but has the issue progressed into becoming a fundamental element of Party’s manifesto’s? The subject appears to have noticeably declined in recent months, and for one reason or another, nothing substantial appears to be getting done.

Anthony Downs once created a ‘five stage model’ in which he outlines the five stages in which public interest gains and loses mobility in the event of a monumental crises. Number four of the cycle is the ‘gradual decline of intense public interest’ which has substantial resonance to the situation we face today. With the complexity and cost attached to this environmental disaster we face, public interest has inevitably plummeted and progress is racing along at a snail’s pace. One possible answer is the style of politics within the UK which unfortunately sees politicians focussed on the short term issues which will ultimately win an election, and not the long term goals which will not be completed within a five year term in Governance. Gone are the days of the selfless politician, they are indisputably a dying breed of few who are here to represent the people, and are not conversely fixated upon getting as far as they can climb up the political ladder, professional politicians as they are often labelled. The competitive nature of British politics has blinkered those we elect away from actually solving the monumental problems of the world, and instead merely doing what is necessary to insure power is sustained.

Last month, the BBC reported that Global Carbon emissions have reached an all time high and were recorded 5% higher than the previous recording in 2008. We are too often manipulated in to believing by Cameron and his cronies that ‘they are doing all they can to preserve the environment’, when in actual fact, it is sitting at the bottom of their agenda. A few weeks before the most recent general election, Conservative party leader David Cameron promised to limit new power plants to be as clean as a modern gas plant. However, shortly after the Election the Guardian reported than ministers were set to raise the amount of emissions that coal and other power plants were allowed to omit more into the atmosphere. How can politicians tell us to act more ecologically, when they are evidently at the height of anthropocentrism? To the Conservatives credit, they have already implemented one of their pre election promises by ensuring every household has access to a ‘green deal’ of up to £6,500 to improve energy efficiency. But is this enough? Is this really sufficient in the grander scheme of things, it is my view simply both a sweetener and an illusion designed to persuade the electorate that they are making substantial efforts to tackle the environmental problems we face.

However, this isn’t just a British problem, but a world problem as repetitively the efforts of many are stamped upon by World leaders at Earth summits where the Governments around the world are too busy weighing up the cost the proposals make to their economy rather than the cost they are causing to the Environment by doing nothing.

With resources scarce, and the Earth showing increasing signs of entropy each and every day, it is vital that Politicians wake up to the idea that action is needed, and needed quickly. It isn’t an issue that will disappear, and if action isn’t taken soon, the damage we are causing will be ultimately irreversible.

Pardon the period of exile. This humble blogger has been extremely busy with other personal projects. So, forgive me, I've neglected this blog quite a lot. But, this is significant platform for discussing local issues in Kent – especially those which effect you and I.

After careful consideration, I will be starting a guest feature for this blog. Rules are simple;

1. Must be a resident of Kent.

2. Guest posts needs to be relevant to the nature of this blog (.i.e politics)

3. In line with the blogging T&C's of KentOnline.

4. Needs to be appealing.

5. Word length between 500 – 800 max.

If you would like the opportunity, please e-mail me (daniel at gmail.com)

Well, the votes are in and counted. Kent has voted, it seems the turnout is up, and there has been a few changes. Predictably, the Liberal Democrat vote has capitulated in places (most notably Canterbury) and Labour has made gains.

Gravesham is a council Labour are championing this morning with a spectacular win, with Ed Miliband claiming ('the result proves' theory) his party 'are on the come back'. Alas, though; Dartford, Shepway and Medway have seen Labour fail to make any real gains; seats that were on the Labour target list. Conservatives have either maintained control or increased their representation. Thanet has fallen to No Overall Control (NOC), which is disappointing after Harriet Harmen and others visited this week. Labour failed to make, well, easy gains that they were expected to achieve.

Ed Miliband is touring the county and marching through the towns like a victorious Caesar, but it is covering up a modest night for Labour. And that is being kind. The infamous '+1,000 councillors easy' claim has proved to be false. The anti-cut message is not adequate due to Tory gains across the council. Cameron is the true winner in Kent.

More worrying, the Liberal Democrat vote did not move to Labour – it shows signs of the Tories benefiting. Canterbury, for example, has seen the Tories increase their councillors to over 30 with Labour (again) have no genuine presence on the council. Only 3 councillors.

Kent is still blue, and strongly blue, with a few spots of red and yellow.

note: Liberal Democrat leader at Canterbury City Council had this to say on twitter;

@ AlexCanterbury It was like sending your batsmen to the crease only for them to find their bats had been broken by the team captain #libdems

Since 23rd April 1661, the day Charles II became King and Monarchy was restored in England, have republicans felt ever so lonely. This will be quite the forlorn post filled with deep regret and sadness at the Royal Wedding.

I'm quite glad Kent has the lowest registered street parties tomorrow, thus my faith in humanity has been slightly restored, and we haven't gone over the top in plastic patriotism. The Union Flag (it is only called a 'Jack' when flown at sea) is a beautiful symbol and should be raised all the time, not just for the Monarchy.

But alas, Friday will be a depressing day for us republicans.

Tomorrow when the nations erupts into depressing exhilaration over the wedding, I shall ponder what Cromwell would've made of all this pomp and ceremony; as the Royal carriage passes his statue outside Parliament

Last night's emergency meeting at Allhallows was postponed. Instead it will take place the night before the election!

I just hope the parish councillors who attend don't make any decisions which are binding on the new council: they could find themselves faced with hefty bills if the new council disagrees with any decisions they reach during Purdah.

One almost believes the outgoing councillors have given up the fight, and are determined to go down with the ship.

I cannot comment on the reasons why the councillors feel it is so important to have a meeting hours before the polling stations open since I have not been sent a copy of the agenda (not unusual at Allhallows where it seems only those who are "in" are told anything. One does begin to feel the parish is being run for the benefit of Smiley's People.)

As an asthma suffer I do have a keen interest in air quality and pollution. But Cllr Martin Vye of the Liberal Democrats, do you honestly think a congestion charge for major Kent towns is a solution to my problems?

People need cars in their daily lives. Fact. There is no viable alternative for them and the lack of investment in this countries infrastructure is not the fault of drivers; inexcusable apathy from countless governments are to blame. Kent has some of the worst roads in the whole United Kingdom and the neglection has gone on for far too long.

A congestion charge is not a solution to the problem. I'm still waiting to see the benefits in London, which has not lead to a psychological change in drivers. In fact, Ken Livingston was unpopular for wanting to expanding the charge to other regions of London. Subsquently went on to lose to Boris Johnson in the Mayoral elections. Manchester rejected the preporsal.

It is unpopular and completely unjustified.

Here's some alternatives:

1. Improved road layouts

2. Better junctions

3. Ending the nightmare of poor town management

4. Funding public transport and investing in sufficient vehicles.

The solution is not another tax for over taxed individuals.

I was astonished at read the comments of a blog reader and politician I have respected for many years in response to "Democracy Lives?" on April 4.

He has fought strongly for democratic interest and looked for support in that process for numerous years - certainly for the 20 that I have known him.

I cannot agree with him now, however.

His comments about councillors standing down to avoid a fight for paris seats is very worrying for if we can ignore the individuals and consider the principle, looking coldly, analytically, and without prejudice at what he wrote.

First - he says three people have taken an interest in the parish and chosen to stand for election.... Well, providing they are qualified and properly nominated like any other candidate they are entitled to stand. That they may be from a political party is not something with which I| agree, but they have that right.

Second - Because of that, other candidates (sitting councillors) have decided they will walk away. Wow!

Whatever happened to the right of the majority democratically to decide who represents their best interests? When did it become the God-given right of the minority (a handful of village 'elders')  to decide they know better? To wait and see if there is to be a competition - then stand down - is an appalling interference with the rights of the village to decide. It is not just which faces fit. It is also whether they want a change in direction, an opportunity for new ideas to be tested against the established ones, and indeed whether they want any political interference in village life.

For all I know the councillors standing down may be the best in the world. So, too, might the parish council of Cliffe and Cliffe Woods. Yet these are undemocratically, self-appointed councillors, unelected by the masses. (It's my blog and I am entitled to describe the method being argued for as 'unelected'.)

It is a great pity for any local authority to lose valued, contributing members, but it is the right of the majority to be able to make that decision, whether it is a correct one or a wrong one, whether the majority ends up with a black, white, purple, green, blue, red, yellow or blue-and-yellow body in charge. That is what democracy is about. Anyone who takes that right away from the public is robbing it of a hard-earned right.

Cliffe is not the only place where this happens. It is going on across Kent, and probably further afield.

These are people who can slap a 43 per cent increase on the village precept (as has happened elsewhere in Medway) with inpunity. As I have said before: there is one rule for boroughs and counties, and none for parishes when it comes to charging for services.

These same people could - within the span of the new council's life - take on greater roles that until now have been democratically provided by district council, borough council, county council, regional authorities and government. Yet the candidates standing down are stealing that right from the people they have been able to represent without challenge.

They say they are saving the parish money - more likely saving their own faces.

Nothing democratic here - just crass cowardice when faced with a small challenge.

***

Meanwhile, I hear that Derrick Singleton has moved within the council but has not left its employ. I am delighted to correct the record.