Podcast: Sir Keir Starmer visits Kent to set out Labour's plan to stop small boat crossings

  • 10 days ago
The Labour leader has been in Dover to explain how his party would tackle the issue of small boat crossings.Sir Keir Starmer described it as 'one of the greatest challenges we face' and confirmed he would scrap the government's Rwanda scheme.He was joined by Dover MP Natalie Elphicke who defected to the party earlier this week.Also in the podcast, a leading Kent doctor is urging mums-to-be to get the whooping cough vaccine after a huge rise in cases.Around 2,800 infections have been reported in England in the first three months of this year - up from just 858 in 2023.The landlord of a village pub near West Malling says he's already lost £1,000 just days into a six-week road closure.The King's Arms on Teston Road, Offham is still open despite UK Power Networks installing underground cables between Seven Mile Lane and Aldon Lane. Find out what the power company has said in response.A fifth generation fruit farmer in Maidstone has dug up 80% of his orchard, because his business wasn't turning a profit.James Smith, from Loddington Farm in Boughton Monchelsea, has been telling us why he's turning away from selling apples to major retailers and opening a farm shop.In sport, the Gillingham managing director says he's convinced the new manager is the right man for the job.Mark Bonner was appointed little over a week after Stephen Clemence was sacked after failing to make the league two play-offs.And, a group of teachers are setting off on a challenge to run from Maidstone to Paris ahead of the Olympics.Six of the staff at Bower Grove School will be completing the distance as a relay, running around a marathon each.

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