The votes have been counted from last week’s European election and there has been a huge amount of discussion and scrutiny of what the results mean. For me the message is clear for all of us serving in public life; in parliament, the government and local councils; that we have to work hard to secure the economic recovery that is underway and make sure that everyone in our community benefits from this progress. I want us to create a society where people are filled with hope by the opportunities that are available to them, rather than hate at what others have. The European elections also reflect the need for change in the institutions of the European Union to make them more open and accountable. We need a new deal for Britain in a reformed EU, and that deal will be put to the people in a referendum in 2017 on whether or not we should continue our membership. My position on that referendum is clear. I would support the UK staying in a reformed EU but if that’s not possible, and Europe says we must accept our membership as it is now; take it or leave it; then I would say let’s leave.
There has been considerable concern raised about the success in these elections of extremist parties across Europe, and in particular the victory of the National Front in France. The victories of these parties have undoubtedly been brought on by the consequences of the financial crash and the difficult decisions that countries have had to take to reduce their debts and get their economies growing and creating new jobs. If you compare our community to one just over the Channel like Boulogne, where the National Front was by far the largest party in the election, you see big differences in the challenges we face. Unemployment in Folkestone and Hythe is now 3.6% and falling; whereas in Boulogne it’s over 15%. The average hourly wage locally is over £12 whereas in Boulogne it is £9.
The economy of England is growing faster than that of France, and the overall rate of unemployment is lower. Our long term plan is getting Britain back in its feet.
Locally, I want us to make sure that the Folkestone and Hythe constituency is one of the big success stories of the recovery. Last week, I helped to host an event organised by the ‘Grow for it’ campaign to support business investment in East Kent. The event highlighted some of the local success stories from new and independent businesses, and heard about future investment. It was great, for example, to hear from Mark Sargent about his plans for training courses in East Kent for people to work in the catering industry. At the Workshop in Tontine Street we heard that there has been a surge in new start-up businesses signing to work up in their incubator space; the Factory Floor. Barbara and Steve at Anecdotes Design; their new shop and studio in Tontine Street; explained why they had chosen to locate their business in Folkestone. The Great British Shop in the Old High Street, which we also visited, is yet another successful business that has chosen to relocate to Folkestone.