Ann Widdecombe MP has represented Maidstone for 20 years
Ann Widdecombe MP has represented Maidstone for 20 years
One of the South East's most recognised MPs is standing down at the next election and it is time to choose her replacement.
One of the South East's most recognised MPs is standing down at the next election and it is time to choose her replacement.
Nine candidates have been shortlisted to replace Ann Widdecombe as the Conservatives' next parliamentary candidate for Maidstone.
Nine candidates have been shortlisted to replace Ann Widdecombe as the Conservatives' next parliamentary candidate for Maidstone.
Ann Widdecombe has been there for 20 years, so it is likely to be a hard act to follow.
Ann Widdecombe has been there for 20 years, so it is likely to be a hard act to follow.
The six men and three women selected for final interview, will need all their experience to field questions, not only from Maidstone and Weald Party members, but also from the Have I Got News For You regular and Private Eye editor Ian Hislop.
The six men and three women selected for final interview, will need all their experience to field questions, not only from Maidstone and Weald Party members, but also from the Have I Got News For You regular and Private Eye editor Ian Hislop.
Mr Hislop has been drafted in to test the candidates' abilities when it comes to dealing with the press, something he appears to be looking forward to: "I was delighted to accept: given that they are seeking to replace Ann, I think some tough questions about hunting and celibacy will be in order."
Mr Hislop has been drafted in to test the candidates' abilities when it comes to dealing with the press, something he appears to be looking forward to: "I was delighted to accept: given that they are seeking to replace Ann, I think some tough questions about hunting and celibacy will be in order."
King or Queen?
King or Queen?
By the end of the day the successor to the Maidstone throne will be crowned - but will it be all hail to the King, or all hail to the Queen?
By the end of the day the successor to the Maidstone throne will be crowned - but will it be all hail to the King, or all hail to the Queen?
It is an important question on many levels.
It is an important question on many levels.
Of the 24 MPs in the South East only three are women and two of them are in marginal Labour seats.
Of the 24 MPs in the South East only three are women and two of them are in marginal Labour seats.
Change difficult?
Change difficult?
David Cameron may have pledged to "change the face of the Conservative Party by changing the faces of the Conservative Party" but it looks like an uphill struggle.
David Cameron may have pledged to "change the face of the Conservative Party by changing the faces of the Conservative Party" but it looks like an uphill struggle.
Mr Cameron has committed the party to raising the numbers of both women and ethnic minority candidates and ensuring that they contest a fair number of safe seats.
Mr Cameron has committed the party to raising the numbers of both women and ethnic minority candidates and ensuring that they contest a fair number of safe seats.
But in a meritocratic party such a policy was always going to be difficult to implement and in the South East, heavy with tradition, it is proving to be particularly challenging.
But in a meritocratic party such a policy was always going to be difficult to implement and in the South East, heavy with tradition, it is proving to be particularly challenging.
Like the proverbial horse, Mr Cameron can lead his associations to shortlist women and minorities, but he can not make them select them.
Like the proverbial horse, Mr Cameron can lead his associations to shortlist women and minorities, but he can not make them select them.
There are currently 13 prospective parliamentary Conservative candidates in our region, so far only three of them are women.
There are currently 13 prospective parliamentary Conservative candidates in our region, so far only three of them are women.
Ann Widdecombe herself has long been vociferously opposed to both A lists and preferential selection so it remains to be seen whether her successor will come from either camp.
Ann Widdecombe herself has long been vociferously opposed to both A lists and preferential selection so it remains to be seen whether her successor will come from either camp.
'A' list
'A' list
According to the Conservatives' own Women2Win website:
According to the Conservatives' own Women2Win website:
"Electoral Commission research has shown that women are 4% more likely to vote where there are women candidates and men are not put off.
"Electoral Commission research has shown that women are 4% more likely to vote where there are women candidates and men are not put off.
"Women are also more likely to believe that 'politics benefits people like me' - more likely to engage, and more likely to vote."
"Women are also more likely to believe that 'politics benefits people like me' - more likely to engage, and more likely to vote."
Judith Symes was the archetypal new Conservative woman and one of Cameron's A listers.
Judith Symes was the archetypal new Conservative woman and one of Cameron's A listers.
Sandra Howard helped her campaign at the last election where she reduced Des Turner's, the MP for Brighton Kemptown, majority to just over 2,500 votes.
Sandra Howard helped her campaign at the last election where she reduced Des Turner's, the MP for Brighton Kemptown, majority to just over 2,500 votes.
Even so she claims that many in the Party thought she would make a better MP's wife than MP. Last year she defected to Labour.
Even so she claims that many in the Party thought she would make a better MP's wife than MP. Last year she defected to Labour.
The Politics Show talks to Judith Symes about the problems she thinks women face in the Conservatives and why she felt the need to jump ship.
The Politics Show talks to Judith Symes about the problems she thinks women face in the Conservatives and why she felt the need to jump ship.
Iain Dale, well know Conservative blogger and one time applicant for Ann Widdecombe's seat will join the debate.
Iain Dale, well know Conservative blogger and one time applicant for Ann Widdecombe's seat will join the debate.
Also on the programme
Also on the programme
The coast of south east England suffers erosion
The coast of south east England suffers erosion
Holding back the years
Holding back the years
A government sponsored report published by the Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership (MCCIP), highlights the fact that seas are becoming more violent, causing coastal erosion and a higher risk of flooding.
A government sponsored report published by the Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership (MCCIP), highlights the fact that seas are becoming more violent, causing coastal erosion and a higher risk of flooding.
In a region that has over 400 miles of coastline and large areas of land under sea level or designated as flood plain we have some cause for concern.
In a region that has over 400 miles of coastline and large areas of land under sea level or designated as flood plain we have some cause for concern.
Region vulnerable?
Region vulnerable?
The South East is vulnerable to both erosion and flooding from rivers and the sea.
The South East is vulnerable to both erosion and flooding from rivers and the sea.
In Sussex many cliffs are falling away
In Sussex many cliffs are falling away
In Sussex, Birling Gap, Beachy Head, and Fairlight Cove are all examples of where the cliff line or coastline is falling away because of coastal movement and aggressive seas.
In Sussex, Birling Gap, Beachy Head, and Fairlight Cove are all examples of where the cliff line or coastline is falling away because of coastal movement and aggressive seas.
Further inland, towns like Lewes and Uckfield have already suffered from near catastrophic flooding in the recent past and there are concerns that increased infrastructure and house building is simply going to exacerbate the problems.
Further inland, towns like Lewes and Uckfield have already suffered from near catastrophic flooding in the recent past and there are concerns that increased infrastructure and house building is simply going to exacerbate the problems.
And Kent has much low lying land that is at high risk of flooding. Romney Marsh, low-lying and with rising sea levels, is thought to be at great risk.
And Kent has much low lying land that is at high risk of flooding. Romney Marsh, low-lying and with rising sea levels, is thought to be at great risk.
Environmental concern
Environmental concern
Once the number of planned new houses and roads is taken into account, it is easy to see why some environmental groups are raising concerns not least about the Thames Gateway, where the government are currently proposing to build 580,000 new homes by 2026.
Once the number of planned new houses and roads is taken into account, it is easy to see why some environmental groups are raising concerns not least about the Thames Gateway, where the government are currently proposing to build 580,000 new homes by 2026.
The numbers soon stack up. In the South East there are thought to be 310,000 properties and businesses at risk from coastal or river flooding, with the greatest threat from the sea. But what is the solution?
The numbers soon stack up. In the South East there are thought to be 310,000 properties and businesses at risk from coastal or river flooding, with the greatest threat from the sea. But what is the solution?
Is any attempt to hold back the encroaching water simply a Canute like gesture that will only delay the inevitable, or should national and local government allocate money on an ongoing basis to protect the property and livelihoods of those affected?
Is any attempt to hold back the encroaching water simply a Canute like gesture that will only delay the inevitable, or should national and local government allocate money on an ongoing basis to protect the property and livelihoods of those affected?
The government is investing more money in the defence of flood and coastal erosion - up to £800m by 2010.
The government is investing more money in the defence of flood and coastal erosion - up to £800m by 2010.
£50m spend to protect the Romney Marsh
£50m spend to protect the Romney Marsh
Nature or nurture?
Nature or nurture?
The question to be asked is whether it is money well spent?
The question to be asked is whether it is money well spent?
The Environment Agency is due to take over responsibility for dealing with coastal erosion and their answer to the question seems to be: "it depends".
The Environment Agency is due to take over responsibility for dealing with coastal erosion and their answer to the question seems to be: "it depends".
In places like Cuckmere Haven they are committed, controversially, to letting nature take its course.
In places like Cuckmere Haven they are recommending, controversially, that nature should be allowed to take its course.
Further east, at Dymchurch they deem that too much is at risk and are spending £50m in order to protect the Romney Marsh.
Further east, at Dymchurch they deem that too much is at risk and are spending £50m in order to protect the Romney Marsh.
Rocks... or residents
Rocks... or residents
The National Trust, guardians of much of the coastline, take each case on its merits but by and large they believe in natural progress rather than prevention.
The National Trust, guardians of much of the coastline, take each case on its merits but by and large they believe in natural progress rather than prevention.
People like Jean Fawbert, who has witnessed the gradual destruction of her family home at the National Trust owned Birling Gap has a rather less benign view and accuses the Trust of seeing the rocks as more important than the community.
People like Jean Fawbert, who has witnessed the gradual destruction of her family home at the National Trust owned Birling Gap has a rather less benign view and accuses the Trust of seeing the rocks as more important than the community.
Back in 2000 she said of the Trust; "(they are) determined to see our houses fall into the sea.
Back in 2000 she said of the Trust; "(they are) determined to see our houses fall into the sea.
"I may not be around to see it happen, but that's not the point - there is no reason to let the sea take them."
"I may not be around to see it happen, but that's not the point - there is no reason to let the sea take them."
Sunday soapbox
Sunday soapbox
The first in a new series that seeks the views of people living and working in our region on topics that affect their lives.
The first in a new series that seeks the views of people living and working in our region on topics that affect their lives.
This week, what do the taxi drivers of Brighton think about the Euro?
This week, what do the taxi drivers of Brighton think about the Euro?
It is easy...
It is easy...
...to take part in the show. If you have an idea for an item, want to make your own report or simply want to comment on what we are doing then please get in touch via any of the links below or write to the Politics Show team at Politics Show, Lambent Productions, The Media Centre, 21-22 Old Steyne, Brighton, BN1 1EL.
...to take part in the show. If you have an idea for an item, want to make your own report or simply want to comment on what we are doing then please get in touch via any of the links below or write to the Politics Show team at Politics Show, Lambent Productions, The Media Centre, 21-22 Old Steyne, Brighton, BN1 1EL.
The Politics Show for the South East, with Jon Sopel and Paul Siegert on Sunday 20 January at 12:00 GMT on BBC One.
The Politics Show for the South East, with Jon Sopel and Paul Siegert on Sunday 20 January at 12:00 GMT on BBC One.
