By Alec Price Strood Labour Party
Dartford is Famous for its toll crossings over the Thames, and Dartford residents endure all that congestion and pollution, a significant amount of which is caused by European goods crawling through on their journey from the port of Dover to London and beyond in the backs of heavy goods vehicles.
The area has seen an increase in housebuilding, often flats aimed at London commuters. A one bed-flat could cost you around 250-300k. The season ticket to get you to work will set you back over £2.5k for the slow train and nearly 5k for the “High Speed”. Delays are always expected and a seat is not guarenteed. If you don’t work at the terminus station you might need a railcard for the London Underground. That could be up to another £700. This only looks a good deal if you are being driven out of London by sky-high rents and rogue landlords.
Outside of Dartford a whole new “garden city” is being developed around Ebbsfleet train station, which has high speed services to Ashford and London as well as the Eurostar.
If you wanted a living advert for the need for socialist nationalisation of the railways – based on a cheap, reliable trains, a space to sit and getting freight back on the rail, then Dartford is the place to come.
Dartford has been a Tory seat since 2010 – and they currently have a 13,000 majority. Up until recently the Labour group were led by Tony Blair enthusiasts, who completely failed to gain popular support from the working class of Dartford. Despite a record of failure the “enthusiasts” were keen to hold onto their positions in the local party and attempt to bully and besmirch anyone with better ideas.
In the May 2019 council elections the “enthusiasts” met their come-uppance from the voters as the Labour group leader was unceremoniously booted out of office.
New and dynamic forces within the party had better fortunes. In a new seat – created by the rising population, social worker Sacha Gosine was elected to the council, and subsequently became group Labour leader and the parliamentary candidate.
The new forces in the Labour Party have run a spirited campaign as the “enthusiasts” who usually run election campaigns, decided to assist their political ally Rosie Duffield in Canterbury.
The changing demographics in Dartford have benefitted Labour, as the new group has been sharp to build a solid foothold in the new housing blocks. Canvassing returns showed new Labour voters in areas that were largely ignored by the previous Labour group.
Whilst Brexit has been raised by some residents, the main issues are around education and the NHS, as well as issues around the Dartford crossing.
The main barrier facing the local Labour Party is the distrust and lack of confidence built up by layers of workers following the years of Tony Blair’s “New Labour” and the pitiful local offering of its supporters at a local level, up until six months ago.
Labour in Dartford are sure to gain votes and be in a much better position to unseat the Tories if it can’t be managed this time around.
Thanet North and South
North Thanet includes areas of rural wealth alongside seaside deprivation. The local party has previously been dysfunctional but the energy from the team around the new Corbyn-supporting candidate Dr Coral Jones has galvanised a base of support. And watch out for a surprise in South Thanet.
December 12, 2019
