Exclusive! “Dishonest” Thanet Villages Election Candidate “Misleads Voters”
- Ian Driver
- Apr 1
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 2
Former Thanet Council Leader and candidate in the forthcoming Thanet Villages by-election, Ash Ashbee has been accused by rival, Thanet Independent candidate Ian Driver, of “dishonestly misleading voters”.
Ian Driver, claims that Ashbee failed to disclose to voters that she is employed as the Business Development Manager of Guildcrest Homes, a company which has applied for planning permission to build 31 homes on prime farmland south of Monkton Road, which is located in Thanet Villages Ward.
The application has generated widespread opposition from Monkton residents and neighbours. Both the Monkton and Minster Parish Councils have objected to the plans as has the Monkton Residents Association and 57 individuals. Increased traffic, road safety concerns, insufficient services, and the loss of prime agricultural land all figure in these objections.
Mr Driver, who is campaigning for election in the Thanet Villages ward on a “Save Thanet’s Farmland” platform said, “failing to disclose that she works for a company which despite widespread opposition intends to build 31 houses in the ward in which she hopes to represent, is dishonest and misleading in the extreme”.
Ms Ashbee clearly has a major conflict between her work interests and those of her prospective constituents. Like all decent and honest politicians she should have declared this conflict when announcing her candidature as is required by the “Seven Principles of Public Life", which requires politicians to be honest, but she chose instead to cover it up.
What makes this lack of honesty even more insulting to voters is the fact Ms Ashbee’s party has circulated an election leaflet setting out its “People’s Manifesto for Kent” which claims that its councillors will fight to protect the county’s green belt and farmland, when in fact Ms Ashbee works for a company which digs up farmland and builds houses on it, against the wishes of the public. Perhaps her party should now disown her?
People are fed to the back teeth of being misled, lied to, and deceived by politicians from the big parties. Now is the time to kick them out office and turn the tables, by voting for Thanet Independents, who will put people before party and self-interest.
Please Note
The Guildcrest Homes planning application (reference number OL/TH/24/1460 can be veiewed on Thanet Council's Website here
The Council will accept comments upon the applciation up until 10 April so you still have time to object.
I will be submitting an objection as an election candidate and if elected to serve Thanet Villages I will work with residents and the parsih council to oppose this application.
Election imprint. Published by Ian Driver election candidate Thanet Independents, 45 Seaview Rd, CT101BX ianddriver@yahoo.co.uk 07866588766
Comments