MP demands Tories repay cost of reception

Carter has embarrassed Kent and misused public funds says Ladyman.

South Thanet MP, Stephen Ladyman, has demanded that Kent's Tory Party and Council leader Paul Carter repay Council Tax payers for the cost of a parliamentary reception billed as supporting Kent's businesses but which was hijacked for party political purposes.

Stephen Ladyman said after the event: "Paul Carter’s speech and that of Caroline Spellman, the shadow local government spokesperson, were an embarrassment to Kent. They were blatantly party political, they made no attempt to invite alternative views from Government spokesmen or Labour MPs and they even insulted the Chair of the Local Government Select Committee by inviting her, subjecting her to two Tory Party rants, but then not allowing her to say anything in response. She stormed out in disgust!"

The reception was billed as 'Kent County Council’s parliamentary reception, Supporting Business Locally, supported by British Chambers of Commerce' and it was paid for from KCC funds. No Labour speeches were allowed. Paul Carter’s speech was overtly political, calling for a Conservative Government to be elected and directly attacking Government policies.

"Of course, at a Conservative meeting or rally he is entitled to make his biased and inaccurate comments. He can ignore the facts as much as he likes and try to pretend that problems in Kent directly caused by his actions were somehow the Government's fault, but he can't do it on the Council Tax payer’s Dime. This was a political meeting, disguised as an all party meeting to support local business. He has embarrassed the County, embarrassed the Chambers of Commerce and let down his office."

"Carter or the Tory Party should repay the cost of this reception in full. He should also write a letter of apology to Mrs Starkey for the disgraceful way he behaved. Even in the midst of political battles we can be civil, surely?"

“He should also apologise to the Chambers of Commerce who have tried hard in recent years to avoid partisan activity. They have many Labour voting members and they know that MPs of all parties work hard to support local business. I’m sure they are as angry about this as I am.”

Note to editors:

Stephen Ladyman has written to the Compliance Officer at KCC and its Chief Executive asking for action over this reception. The text of the letter is below:

Dear

I wish to make a formal complaint about Kent County Council using public funds for party political purposes.

On 17th June I attended a reception at the House of Commons organised and paid for by Kent County Council. It followed a seminar on the subject of business support in Kent which I did not attend.

The reception itself was billed as an opportunity for Parliamentarians and KCC to show how we can support local business and specifically the invite described the event as: 'Kent County Council’s parliamentary reception, Supporting Business Locally, supported by British Chambers of Commerce.'

In the event, the reception was a blatant exercise in Conservative propaganda. The Council Leader, Paul carter made an openly partisan speech, calling for the election of a Conservative Government and making claims about how a Conservative Government would transform Kent's business environment. His speech was followed by one from Caroline Spellman, the Conservative Spokesperson on local government affairs, and it was equally partisan.

No Government spokesman or MP was allowed to speak, even though we had been invited and I was in the room. The chairperson of the Select Committee on Communities and Local Government (Phyllis Starkey MP) was specifically invited and encouraged to attend but not allowed to speak - in fact, on hearing the nature of the speeches that were made she walked out in disgust.

I do not know if the seminar itself was equally partisan. This is a matter for you to investigate with those KCC officers who were present, but the reception was blatantly so. This event, funded by Kent's Council Tax payers was, therefore, an entirely inappropriate use of public funds. I seek from you, therefore, action to ensure that:

(1) Cllr Carter, or the Conservative Party are required to repay its costs to the Council.
(2) Cllr carter writes on behalf of the Council and the people of Kent a letter of apology to Mrs Starkey.
(3) Cllr Carter apologies to the officers of the Council who were present and who helped organise what they thought to be a proper event in support of local business for the embarrassment he caused them
(4) Cllr Carter should apologise to the Chambers of Commerce supporting the event, who in recent years have steered clear of partisan activity, for the damage he has caused to their reputation for impartiality
(5) Cllr Carter apologises to the many business people present at the event who are not Conservative supporters for his abuse of their time
(6) Steps are taken to ensure that Council funds are not spent on party political activity in the future and that those involved in organising this event are given guidance as to what is and is not acceptable in the future.

I look forward to your comments and investigation of this matter which I will take to the Ombudsman if it is not satisfactorily resolved.

Yours