Eric Pickles was welcomed to Kent today as he gave a further, massive boost to the Conservative County Election campaign visiting key battleground seats in Swale and Gravesham.
In a visit arranged by Kent Conservatives with support from Tonbridge & Malling, Mr Pickles began his day with a visit to the appropriately named "Ickle Pickles" day nursery in Iwade, meeting some of the children and staff. He was then greeted by local Conservative candidates and Parish council representatives and taken to see some of the housing development in the village. Iwade is considered by many to be an exemplar of how newly built communities can be assimilated into village life and can add value to it.
Mr Pickles then visited Gravesend, where local candidates and supporters were able to show some of the regeneration works carried out by KCC including the refurbished library, before chatting with shoppers in the High Street.
Eric summed up his visit saying, “It was a pleasure coming to Kent. The county council here works hard for its residents and leads and innovates in many areas. It was good to meet so many good candidates and hard-working activist here today.”
As we enter the last full week of campaigning, the Secretary of State's visit has given top level endorsement to the Conservative campaign across Kent as the last big push is made to secure support in these vital County elections.