Most of us were glad to see the Royal Marines interdict a Russian sanctions evading ship. But not the Reform leader at Kent County Council. At this rate, I think they took down the 🇺🇦 to replace with a 🇷🇺 at County Hall.

​🚨 These remarks today from Reform’s Bridget Porter are utterly outrageous. ​Watch her comments below. The Reform Party must denounce this immediately and remove the whip, or the public will rightly assume these views represent their party as a whole. 👇

Why is there a shortage of people working in publicly funded criminal law? Well, the state paying people *SEVEN YEARS* after they do some work work might be a factor. The software said "received with thanks" on my behalf. I had my own words.

School breakfast clubs have been under attack from Reform but I felt someone needed to defend them. (Not my choice of photo 😐 but hopefully the words make sense) www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/news/re...

I see a number of politicians weighing in on the referral to the Court of Appeal of the sentence of two boys for rape. I don't wish to comment on a case that is sub judice but can shed a bit of light on the process having been in in criminal law, both in private practice and in-house for the CPS.

I was talking to fellow councillors about planting more trees to cool local streets in the future. It reminded me of Marshal Lyautey asking to plant some oaks. His gardener said, "But Monsieur, they'll take a hundred years to mature." He replied, "In that case, plant them this afternoon!"

Democracy in Kent is under attack from a Reform administration that is clearly terrified of scrutiny. They are moving to quiet the opposition while prioritising songs and prayers over policy discussion. It is a bizarre and anti-democratic shift for our county. 🧵 1/6

Badenoch punishing Worcs Conservatives for working with Greens and Lib Dems to keep Reform out of power is odd. Across England, local Cons have fought elections recently saying "vote for us to keep Reform out" - asking other parties to vote for them tactically.

#RefUK already dismantling the mechanisms for democratic scrutiny and accountability at Kent County Council. The @libdems.org.uk - Opposition Leader, @antonyhook.bsky.social is not standing for any of their shenanigans. www.maidstonelibdems.co.uk/news/article...

I'm seeing increased talk about proportional representation, which is good. It will obv make multi-party administrations more likely. But PR will also make such coalitions easier to manage. The electoral risks for coalition partners will be less severe under PR.

Happy Europe Day. As Churchill said, "we have remade the fabric of Europe". Work that goes on, and must continue to go on.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve met some incredible people and heard what matters most to them and their communities. I’m so grateful to every Lib Dem candidate and volunteer who has worked so hard to be a voice for their community. Let’s keep it going. Polls are open until 10pm.

Shirley Porter is a reminder that the corruption of a political group using power for its own political advantage is not new. But it is disgusting, preventable and warrants days of reckoning for those who do it. www.theguardian.com/society/2026...

1/5 🚨 Nigel Farage’s new plan isn’t a policy—it’s a protection racket. ​Suggesting that detention centres should be allocated to "punish" communities who don't vote Reform is a direct assault on the rule of law and the principles of British democracy. 🧵

Come celebrate Europe Day with us at the European Parliament in Brussels on 9 May and Strasbourg on 17 May! Have fun with interactive activities for all ages, learn something new about Europe, and ask questions to MEPs and experts. Learn more: link.europa.eu/dfDFfR

He says "like in Kent" where Reform in power are preparing to move people out of care homes into different care homes with no regard for their welfare.

This is leadership with courage!

This is very important to follow. Reform is assisted by media that quantifiably does not report, for example, it's funding.

Edward Hopper, American (1882-1967), The Long Leg, 1935, oil on canvas 50.8 x 76.8 cm, The Huntington, San Marino, California, USA

Yesterday’s tragedy in Golders Green is a sombre reminder of the work ahead. Lib Dems in Kent, and everywhere, stand in solidarity with Shloime Rand, Moshe Shine, and the Jewish community during this painful time. It is imperative that we intensify our fight against antisemitism.

It should be to law that anything you can subscribe to with a few clicks should be unsubscribable that way, and not need a phone call.

Nigel Farage described the ban on handguns brought in following the Dunblane school shooting as "ludicrous" and a "kneejerk reaction". This is the man Lord Offord wants to put into Downing Street.

This is a small example of how Europe is a regulatory superpower and more the pity the UK isn't there, part of these decisions.

As an Englishman, my natural assumption is that "two kings" is written with deliberate irony, and someone in the White House social media team is making fun of Trump. I see from the comments underneath the post that no-one in the US reads it that way, alas.

The IFS is scathing about the Green Party manifesto in Wales. Basically, a lot of spending with no plan to pay for it. This is a shame because for progressives to succeed we need plans that will work. ifs.org.uk/articles/ini...

Having read The Times since I was 11 (Dad brought it home) I've decided to cancel my subscription.

I see a lot of social media post saying "look at this weird thing Reform are doing in our local elections" And people weren't paying attention. We saw all of it last year: • Talking about national not local issues • Massive addressed direct mail that can be left off local election expense returns

Donald Trump’s idiotic war has damaged the global economy and left British families and businesses suffering. A total disaster backed by Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage.

It's my birthday and I had a lovely day at @londonzoo.bsky.social which I'd never been to before. I liked the gorillas particularly. A lovely family of 7 and I felt an affinity with the father gorilla, Kilburi. He looked happy sat quietly in the morning sun, watching the youngsters monkey around.

​"Woe to the statesman whose reasons for entering a war do not appear as plausible after the war as they did before it." (Bismarck)

Donald Trump’s idiotic war with Iran – cheered on by Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage – is meaning you're paying more at the pump. We want to cut fuel duty by 10p a litre and keep Britain moving.

Sad to say they lasted even longer in Kent where the County Council tried until 2009 to impose its own version of s. 28.

Good grief. The guinea pigs are getting their own addressed mail now.

Regular reminder that the UK’s ban on gay people serving in the armed forces was only lifted after a judgment from the European Court of Human Rights👇 🔗 www.bbc.com/news/article... Surprising how often people don't mention that.

Yesterday my dear friend and fellow Faversham councillor @hannahperkin.bsky.social was on BBC Women's Hour talking about the abuse women face in elections. It's worth a listen (item starts just after 15 mins) www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

I am, as you know, finding a whiteboard useful in relation to this...

Back from the BBC South East Studio. I obeyed the "no ties request" but the Conservative guest, someone I normally consider a friend, flagrantly ignored it. Shiny purple number. This is what liberals are up against.

I fear we may see all manner or unsuitable actors constitute themselves as forms of election observers for the wrong reasons, with a negative rather than positive effect on the process.

The BBC have asked me to wear no tie on Sunday 👔 One could dress more chill by wearing a stripey, bright or floral tie? 🔆 🌸 Or, if they really want Sunday AM vibes I could wear my dressing gown, (with croissant)? 🥐 And will my warmth and mild humour not "create a more relaxed feel"?? 🏖️🕊

Intelligence reports indicate this Lego was invented in Denmark.

"This motion contains statements that are prejudicial, discriminatory. It is an abuse of this council. We will not lend legitimacy to it and we will leave" Lib Dems, Labour, Green and Cons all walked out. It wasn't easy but it was right.

The Lib Dems put a motion for this reform of Blue Badges to Kent County Council last July. It was voted down by Reform for reasons that were hard to follow.

Yes, yes we did.

Today at Kent County Council, the @libdems.org.uk ms and other Opposition Groups refused to legitimise a political stunt by the Reform Party. KCC’s services (adult care, SEND support, highways) are worsening under Reform's control. We need focus on local issues. 🧵👇

Our Council's electricity bill is £8m + gas + vehicle fuel. This year's council budget already has a £45m overspend. Next year has record low reserves (£45-85m), record high risk (£411m). So, we need to know what energy prices spikes will mean. What gets cut? www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/ne...

We need a "shift in tone" to be matched by substantive measures.

Come and be Town Clerk (effectively CEO) for an award winning, enterprising, progressive Town Council.

I feel that I see the word "unserious" being used quite a lot, and thar this a fairly recent trend? I miss when people used, e.g: naff lighthearted frivolous trivial playful facetious flippant funny joke superficial shallow minor insignificant pale wacky/wacko crazy lazy Just "unserious" now.