She writes on her Facebook page:
It is with great sadness and regret that I wish to announce that I will not be standing at the next general election in 2015. For the last six months I have been considering my future in light of a wide range of family demands and have decided that I cannot combine the level of dedication and service needed for the constituency with my growing personal responsibilities to those closest and dearest to me.
It has been a difficult and heart-wrenching decision to make as there is no greater honour and privilege than representing the constituents of South Thanet. The people of South Thanet are an inspiration to me with their dedication to our communities, their strength, their steadfastness and their sense of identity. I want to thank all those who have worked with me to ensure that we are getting the best for our local towns and villages.
Over the past few years, I believe that we have together secured many positive improvements to the quality of life in South Thanet: £40million of small business support funds; improved High Speed train services; flood defences; new international business investment into the area; an extended visitor season; and improving standards in our schools and colleges.
I want to thank my colleagues – the councillors and the council candidates – who I have worked closely with to achieve the best outcomes for our residents.
I wish to assure you that between now and the next election I will work tirelessly to achieve more for our wonderful area, making representation for our causes, supporting community groups and taking on individual cases on behalf of residents. My team and I will be at full steam until we can hand over the work to the next Member of Parliament.
These years working and living in South Thanet have been the most memorable of my life. I hope that I have been able to repay what you have given me with some lasting benefits that will improve the future life and prosperity of all our residents.
I've met Laura a few times, and despite the fact that she's a Blue Rinser, I have to say she's always seemed charming and committed to her constituency. Quite what the real reasons behind her departure are, who can tell? No, seriously, if someone knows, do tell me.
You can read the full text of Laura's resignation statement on her Facebook page by clicking here. It includes a comment from Thanet North MP Sir Roger Wind, who, unfortunately, isn't resigning.
119 comments:
Does this push the door open that little bit wider for Le Farge????? Will.i.am will be delighted! Its all open now!
I would have to agree with Peter for she has been totally dedicated to the constituency and its residents. All one can do is wish her well with her future life and, hopefully, removed from the pressures of parliament, she will get to spend a bit more time with her husband.
William is being presumptuous about the amount of time she chooses to spend with her husband!
As for the leader of UKIP standing I thing that Roger Latchford OBE would fancy his chances.
Regardless of politics I think we can all accept that Laura has been an excellent MP for South Thanet and will remain so until the next general election. I'm sure that many people will miss her.
Very sad to see Laura go.
I think Colonel Blimp would lose his deposit if he stood in South Thanet.
Oppotunity for the flying doctor.
Biggles is a North Thanet man through and through. We don't trust his type down south!
What a huge loss for the area, and I cannot believe that no sooner has the news broken that a 'spokesperson' for Farages team gloats that she has cut and run rather than face this odorous man in an election fight. Just what is to gained by trashing the out going MP?
What about a new poll? Who is going to take her place
Our poll,1:08, comes when we get to vote for the candidates presented before us, but we do not choose the candidates as that is down to the people funding them. Hence Labour have chosen Will Scobie, the Conservatives will choose someone to replace Laura and it remains to be seen who the other parties put forward. Maybe someone might even stand as an independent but, even that, is their choice not ours.
I agree 1.08 on the new poll. If we're talking 'docs' for the job i go for the other one - the rock one. Having dealt with him on a heritage issue in Broadstairs ( yes he works in both bits of Thanet) he's less right wing and very fair minded. After all he was second to Orville in the last poll for Mayor of Thanet!!!
Presumably 1:43 you are high up in the Tory party if you are choosing their candidate for them?
Should make the general election interesting as the Tories cannot count on the personal vote Laura has built up. It sort of level out the playing field a bit.
Personally , I found her far too nice to be in politics.
Seemed a nice enough lady but did nothing.
The claims of investment for Thanet are for Kent as a whole and the items are both duplications of each other and a result of Thanet having fallen so far.
And even further under Laura's reign: both Margate and Ramsgate some of the bottom ten towns and silence on TDC corruption.
Why don't you just f**k off Garbutt. You are full of shit.
Surely it's time too to stop the party's secret funds to their constituencies for renting an office? Over £2k a month for Gale and the Tories? And stopping all State funding. Even 0% Moores could add that up.
I see Roger Break-Wind in his statement refers to the "next Conservative MP". True to his disregard for democracy he doesn't even allow for the electors making a free choice! I just hope the Tories in South Thanet doen't choose a candidate as right-wing, socially clueless, and odious as the occupant of the North Thanet seat.
I think she's been the best we've had in recent times, and boy you could do so much worse.
It is a shame she cannot use her time before leaving to forget the politics and get the corrupt or incompetent TDC sorted out, but alas Local Government is just that.. causa nostra.
Good point 2:44. Without speaking out about Infratil or TDC her legacy will simply be as Gale's puppet or simply nothing much at all.
F*ck off Garbutt indeed 2:21. He is full of shit but so are you. And you're also a thick twot with nothing much to say.
What's your view on the Gale office funds you thick twot?
And there you have the state of debate in Thanet captured to a 'T---'!
Tell you what, Mr Twotsayer, from now on any comment that I think may be from Dim Tim, or any comment that references him or any of his incomprehensible Garbutt garbage, I will file in the bin.
I think that's fair. And even if it isn't, I don't care, 'cos it's my blog.
Well, it will be nice to have a Tory MP we can hate again... normal service will now be resumed, unless Thanet South sees sense and elects Will Scobie instead!
Well said Richard, the blog would be a better place without the one whose named cannot be uttered.
Scobie, a bit young and inexperienced, and should be a soft touch opponent for Farage if he decides to come to Thanet South. Let's just hope the Conservatives can find a good candidate otherwise it could be the purple patch as with the county elections. Still, I suppose even that would be better than Green.
Maybe purple and green could form a coalition and call themselves the Broccoli Party.
Reckon it will be more than a few cllrs faces that are wiped. A certain hair do will be gutted he did not stand himself, but he thought it was a no hoper whilst Laura was there.
Peter, I really do not think there are too many smug smiles on the faces of TDC councillors at the moment, but I am sure we all know the one you really mean.
My own view is that Laura had a strong personal following which it will be hard for any Conservative candidate to pick up in the time available. On a straight fight, and if the economy continues to improve, a good Conservative candidate could still hold the seat.
Doubt though it will be a straight fight and if Farage appears then it is a very different story. Unlike Shonk last time, he will not just pick up a handful of votes, and could even take the seat. After all, Will could be more tarnished by the present antics at a Labour controlled TDC than candidates of the other parties.
Must we have Epps on here too. he posts too often and invariably it's party waffle. Surely Michael's pensioner site is where he belongs?
Richard, afraid 5:23 is Dim Tim as you so aptly put it.
Yes peter although Will just hasn't done anything. In some ways he's the red version of Laura: family connections, safe seat etc.
Name one thing he's done as Mayor or KCC or TDC councillor.
His Dad and Clive have engineered a few non-jobs to reduce the average councillor age by about 200 years.
I think it's terrible that people are saying Laura hasn't done much. She's been involved in getting a new science shopping centre on the old Pfizer site and has helped to sell the airport to a bus company. Some other big changes have happened in the area on her watch:
1) The ferry company went bust.
2_KCC built a new road to improve traffic flow and have now ruined it by installing traffic lights everywhere.
3) TDC completely cocked-up the seafront development.
4) The Sovereign has been saved.
With the local council in meltdown because of the levels of public mistrust the best thing Laura could do to ensure she leaves the area in a better state than she found it, would be to get the council put into special measures and call in Pickles' hit-men.
Laura brought a touch of sanity to local Politics - being appreciated for her honesty and dedication to the area and constituents without going down the road of favouring either side of the Political Divide. She would try and deal with the problems she was faced with in a fair and sympathetic manner and has helped many families and individuals over the past 3 years.
She will be sorely missed the the opportunistic remarks on BBC tonight by the South East Chairman of UKIP did them no favours - she came across as a bitter and miserable old lady. Laura was a breath of fresh air who will be difficult to follow
Ukip, the people of Thanet will remember your callous words about Laura stepping down. You have shown us all just what you are truly like when you dis a well respected MP. I hope you get well and truly whacked in the next election.
PMSL Cheggers! Where's the 'like' button?!
seconded ECR, Peter u need to get back on FB
Is Kelvin MacKenzie one of your chums ECR? This is what he wrote in 2010 regarding a meeting between him and new MP Laura Sandys.
“I recently sat on a television panel with Laura Sandys, the new Tory MP for South Thanet and daughter of the old Conservative Defence Minister Duncan Sandys. What a complete waste of space she is. One more brain cell and she would be a keep left sign. If she is the quality of the 2010 Tory intake, God help Cameron and God help Democracy.”
Presumably 8:41 is a UKIP member, certainly not a gentleman and does not even have the guts to put a name to his unpleasant comment. Whether the lady is Stephen Hawkins intellectual equal is irrelevant, because she has been a good constituency MP and people across the political divide are singing her praises.
Former editor of the Sun, says it all really
Harvey is going ?
Laura is going ?
Tipping out or tipping off
Or simply tip the wink
What ever's goin on ?
Any ideas from our tory insider William ?
6:34 has a more accurate summary of Laura's feeble efforts in Thanet. The same could be said of Gale. Why does he have a knighthood again - except as a nudge towards resignation before the Police investigations?
Even Kirby's keeping his head down on the corruption and resigning. Maybe Laura's successor will raise it briefly, to then urge us to ignore it?
Tim again, if ever there was a one trick pony!!
Or Dick Card!
Speaking of Kelvin MacKenzie, I'm not a personal acquaintance of his, but I do know somebody local who is.
As for his comment on Lovely Laura, I have a very old journalist chum who is quoted in Peter Chippindale and Chris Horrie's excellent biog of The Sun, entitled Gotcha!, as saying to a Sun journo he'd just interviewed for ITN at Fortress Wapping: 'Is that your editor? God help you!'
Certainly Gale should be stripped of his knighthood after all the goings on at TDC on his watch.
I couldn't tell you one thing Laura has done of any note. Worryingly we have had only 3 years of her reign and still another 18 months to go. What will she be doing?
How would you know dim wit because the world passes you by.
That's what I was asking oaf 12:30. What will Laura be doing in the remaining 18 months? Nothing much has happened in the previous 3 years so what will she do in the remaining 18 months do you think?
Better she goes sooner and have the election earlier?
Obviously 1208 and 1205 are the same contributors - both prat like contributions -Laura will be working hard for the constituency for the next 18 months and if he cannot see improvements on her watch locally the saying is I believe "they are not so blind as those who cannot see" -as always a cowardly insinuation behind anonymous title
John Kirby, he is not really anonymous for it is none other than our old friend and dim wit, Tim Garbutt, described on his blog as MP and Mayor candidate, though of where remains a mystery.
How do you know John? Maybe she's decided not to bother much for the next 18 months.
And like Cllr Epps you're retired/resigned too so hardly knowledgeable on party matters.
The same unpleasant line in insulting the electorate though.
It sounds like a lame duck MP for 18 months - and not much happened anyway - so better to resign early.
Does Kirby know what's happening with the Manston or Thor pollution or is he keeping his head down until retirement?
John Kirby doesn't know, but apparantly Kathy Kirby does!
Laura Sandys record:
Has spoken in 23 debates in the last year — below average amongst MPs.
Has received answers to 7 written questions in the last year — below average amongst MPs.
Has voted in 86.34% of votes in this Parliament with this affiliation — well above average amongst MP
Roger gales record:
Has spoken in 19 debates in the last year — below average amongst MPs.
Has received answers to 16 written questions in the last year — below average amongst MPs.
Has voted in 51.21% of votes in this Parliament with this affiliation — well below average amongst MPs.
Below average comes to mind for both MPs.
I have to take issue with councillor Moores when he says that "we can all accept that Laura has been an excellent MP for South Thanet." I don't know what she has done for the area. I see the previous poster has done an analysis of her performance in the House of Commons and this shows that her output isn't exactly prodigious. Perhaps one of the people who is claiming that she is fabulous could précis her achievements. I'd like to know what we got for our £66,000+expenses.
I do agree with the earlier poster who said that, having made the decision to stand down, she ought to go now.
Anon 5.42
You posted facts upon the thread
Now comment flow is almost dead
But to keep the usual suspects going I contribute this.
Anyone remember the vote fixing allegations when Roger Gale displaced Willie Rees Davies ?
Did Special constable Gale MP ever consult his police colleagues re Army Act 1955 ? Certain flag days he supported ...... or aided and abetted ?
Do NOT mention the cancer and pollution at manston caused by Infratil and TDC. Shush.
for the benefit of 5.17 during my RN Service in the Far East on HMS Cassandra in 1962/3 my nick-name was Kathy Kirby - I was way ahead of the current Diversity Champion - Fame at last - but I did not have a Secret Love which Kathy Kirby made famous- John Kirby
According to the latest Thanet South poll Cons will get 28%, UKIP 30% and Labour 35%.
What's happened to the LibDems?
9:29, if we cant mention the pollution of cancer at manston, we had better not mention the onslaught of buildings being erected on contaminated land (hereson) or the fact they are going ahead with these buildings on iron age/bronze age settlements! they were only allowed 24 houses, when the poison in the ground and bat preservation and iron age settlement was observed, two years later, nothing changed, just took the details out of the paperwork. now they have the go-ahead! to build 150 houses, even EA say they cannot build as the water supply isnt substantial enough as it is. without sorting any of the problems! the manston green, the port plan, pavillion, pleasurama, albion house,the list goes on FOR GENERATIONS!!! all politicians CANNOT be trusted.
That poll was paid for by UKIP, 11:56am, so hopefully we can discount it as being a shonky piece of work.
I agree, though, that the LibDems seem to have disappeared up their own coalition!
Mr Kirby,Doris Day reached no 1 in 1954 with secret love,kathy kirby's version only reached no 4 in 1963.Doris day was by far a greater talent/star than kathy kirby.If a third rate singer is what you aspired to well good luck.I think you would been better off running a post office.
8:36, he didn't aspire to be a female pop singer, that was just a nickname. He was actually in the Royal Navy and there is no greater aspiration than that. Think Horatio achieved rather more than either Doris or Kathy.
Thank you 8.50 much appreciated!!
I also remember Doris Day's version 8.36 but was never called "Doris" best wishes John Kirby
RE: "Do NOT mention the cancer and pollution at manston caused by Infratil and TDC. Shush."
Only the one person ever does, repeatedly ...
Pleasure, John, sailed from Portsmouth on HMS Theseus at the time of Suez and, although army, developed a high regard for the RN on that trip.
Why not have an early election ig Laura has resigned?
No she hasn't resigned.
Of course she has resigned. Quit if you prefer. Two years is a long time to wait for a new Mp.
Manston £1 sale completed today. Infratil gone but presumably they and Buchanan still have responsibility for the pollution levels and fined.
Great expansion plans for Manston with a 40 year plan, MDA for Gatwick and Heathrow, loads of passengers and tons of freight. Enjoy the moment you Manston moaners.
Hahaha manston sale a successful future? That's right manston loonies. Closed before Xmas and a police investigation more like.
Which Xmas is that?
Strange the manstoners are still keen to cover up the missing monitors and fines and pollution by Kiacc and TDC and Kcc. The sooner manston closes and Buchanan jailed the better.
gloag and welch will blame the pollution on Buchanan and sack him no doubt
I just checked the IP addresses for the last 6 comments and they ALL came from the same address!!
Oh no they didn't.
Oh yes they did.
He's behind you!
Buchanan behind bars more like!
One wonders who the Tory party will drop in to replace her given that if they use an unknown that unknown will be fighting against Will who has proven himself to be thus far unstoppable even in the face of a wave of UKIP crazy.
I thought you were a lib-dem Matt. Who are your lot coming up with?
There is a rumour circulating that Labour, now considering the seat more winnable with Laura Sandys stepping down, will ask Will Scobie to stand aside for a more experienced candidate. Even that Ladyman may return.
A rumour started by mischief makers, nothing more. I can assure you it is not true.
Banning parachute candidates would be s step forwarf for democracy. Laura has done nothing for the area and will no doubt move away.
Offtopic but did the EKo and Ferry and 0% costs ever appear
Shows the desperate state of party politics with Will and Maskell being groomed by the older farts.
Did the likely manston fines appear
4 more comments in a row from the same IP address!!!
Anon 9:59, one wonders how someone, not even prepared to disclose their name, is so well connected that they know the Scobie rumour is untrue. Thanet Labour have done worse in the past, ask Mark Nottingham.
You give your name then I might give you mine. More importantly, I'll tell you where I got the information if you tell me where you "heard" the rumour.
Welch ran Southend airport until May before quitting or sacked so will be worried about thr goings-on of Manston and Buchanan and the water supply. Why have Hart and Bayford anf Twyman and Gale not spoken up. At least Laura had resigned.
Firstly Laura hasn't resigned she's simply said she's not standing for re-election, secondly if you think this is because of Manston then your mental problems are worse than we thought!
11:46, you are the one acting as spokes person for Thanet Labour, not me. Where is the official denial for a rumour like this should be dealt with promptly. Silence from Hart & Co means it will gather momentum.
Why should he respond to anonymous comments on a blog?
Laura not standing after only 3 years is not resigning. You must be bonkers. The heat from doing nothing on Manston or TDC corruption has ended her political career such as it was. Hart and co haven't spoken up nor scobie.
Why the sudden abuse of mentally ill people? It seems a rather unpleasant trend of abuse on thanet blogs when discussing laura or manston.
I don't know if laura is mentally ill or not it just seems an unpleasant series of insults? And nothing to do with manston.
You're right 1:30, Laura's resignation has nothing to do with Manston.
Her resignation seems relevant to the failure at Manston: days before the sale completed. What do you know of it 149
And the whole TDC's Airport Committee resigned or disbanded a few months ago.
The tdc airport comittee was suddenly reintroduced by clive though? Who is on it?
I'm on it! Aren't you?
What is the extended visitors season Laura claims as a success
It's very generous of Tim Garbutt to infest other peoples blogs with his ahem 'views' about Thor/Manston etc when he doesn't allow comments on his own 'lovekentloveramsgate' blog, and yes it is Tim, the rhetoric and language are the same.
On another tack, a friend of mine was checking in up at Manston a couple of Fridays ago, and saw a certain elderly gent who hadn't booked his online ticket to Amsterdam properly and was having to fork out extra money . . . He shared the same name as a Cllr Latchford and my friend says he even bore a likeness to said ex Tory and now UKIP chap . . anyhow, said old gent was not happy, blaming the airport staff, being incredibly boorish and very rude to the check in and security staff . . .its always good to know our district is in good hands!
With Manston safety standards so low it's reassuring to say that so are many other airlines according to the Aviation Engineers themselves(!). Let's hope the CAA and Kent Police have tight scrutiny of Groag etc:
AEI calls upon all national regulatory authorities to work harder to enforce regulatory compliance by airlines.
An additional step offering significant safety benefits would be to introduce unannounced audits of airlines and maintenance repair stations rather than the several weeks advanced notice issued presently. "Wherever we look, we find airlines and maintenance organisations failing to comply with even the most simple and basic regulations, despite clear evidence highlighting the need for regulators to act immediately
What are these Ahem Views of Tim's on THor/Manston you seem so reticent of 6:51? Are you saying he's wrong about the pollution etc? Where do we comment on your blog Anon?
If it has Latchford's name on it and looks like Latchford then it probably is Latchford especially if rude and grumpy. Sounds like Manston hasn't lived up to his expectations even since he was Deputy Leader at TDC helping cover up the monitors scandal?
What on earth was he thinking standing again after resigning? He should resign again.
Please explain the "With Manston safety standards so low" comment ..
Banned aircraft from the EU banned list regularly flying in. Illegal overflights of the towns. Removal of pollution monitors. Pollution of the drinking water supply and Pegwell Bay. Fire cover removal after 5pm. Several crashes eg Afghan Air. Late night flights when the airport is closed.
Does that help 8:26? A real concern that KCC and TDC have actively assisted in these problems.
Add in the normal aviation safety concerns detailed by aviation engineers and a plane crash and pollution is almost a certainty.
And a bus company retired CEO hardly inspires confidence in running an airport?
"Banned aircraft from the EU banned list regularly flying in"
List me one current banned user..
"Illegal overflights of the towns"
These are not banned
"Fire cover removal after 5pm"
Full fire coverage in opening hours is provided.
"Several crashes eg Afghan Air" This was not a crash and they were banned from the EU after this event
"Late night flights when the airport is closed"
The airport closes AFTER the last arrival.
Pollution occurs anywhere there is a crash, if and when it happens it is only a problem surely.
"And a bus company retired CEO hardly inspires confidence in running an airport"
Maybe that is why she has employed the ex boss of Southend, he has the knowledge, she has the money.
Naughty 12:19.
You know full well there have been numerous banned flights into Manston. That alone should result in Buchanan being arrested. Why don't you explain how that happened? And what current banned aircraft are allowed?
Overflights: banned under the S106 as you'd expect because of the danger and pollution.
Fire cover after 5pm has been removed hasn't it? What happens with flights after 11pm or the weekend?
Afghan Air wasn't a crash yet they were banned? This is embarrassing.
The airport closes...at 11pm. You are making up your own rules now.
Pollution occurs at airports from the planes not just from a crash. Hence the high pollution reports at Manston.
2.41, You are not just thick but solid bone ear to ear and bloody boring with it.
Ah, have been numerous banned flight ? you previously said there are .. make up your mind, so you admit none still come in?
And if airlines are banned then they can't and won't come in.
If these town overflights flights are actually 'illegal' and occur regularly why not take it up officially?
Fire cover and all airport services remains for opening hours, which aren't fixed but flexible ..
KamAir, Why embarrassing? even BA have crashes and incidents, should they be banned?
What's all this got to do with Laura not standing for the next election?
Banned airlines 3:28? How did they arrive so often?
Make up your mind as to how they will be prevented at Manston?
You said the overflights were not illegal now you want someone else to sort it out for you?
The airport hours are 7am to 11pm so why do you think they are flexible?
You said Afghan Air wasn't a crash now you say it's OK.
You're flailing around for excuses aren't you?
More importantly why have TDC or KCC or the Police not tackled these problems yet?
And when will you explain the removal of the monitors in 2006 and fake reporting ever since?
The bus company CEO is hardly investing if she's simply hired the Southend airport chap who was sacked or resigned? Buchanan has hardly proved superb in running airports and Gloag has no experience at all.
Manston will close very soon, but how much will you be investing before then?
I don't recall any banned airlines, Kam Air were banned after the incident.
Hours are flexible .. no need to argue over that. KLM leave before 7am daily for example so they are open by then daily.
I don't want anything sorted out at all, fly as may as you like legally along the flightpath over Ramsgate.
It wasn't a crash, I didn't say it was ok.
Monitors I know nothing about.
You're waffling 5:52.
Numerous banned airlines have been detailed at Manston go check for yourself.
Hours are flexible? No they are not. They are 7-11. Why do you think otherwise?
The overflight of Ramsgate is illegal, that is the point.
A 3 foot trench gouged off the end of the runway by the tail of the jumbo was not a crash? If you say so. Seems dangerous though?
Monitors removed by Infratil and TDC in 2006 and covered up since.
Why so keen to make excuses for the airport?
5:52, you are wasting your time trying to get through to a fruit and nut case. Flights over Ramsgate are illegal, the firemen knock off at 5pm and planes after that arrive with no fire cover, there is no radar and the airport will close next week as it has been doing for years now.
Anon Epps at 7:54 pretending the airport is a success again.
Again, you say "have been detailed" .. so have? or are still as you say?
Fed up going over the same stuff... If it really was illegal to fly over Ramsgate I am sure the airport would have been closed by now.
If you listen to an airband scanner, or go and look, you'll see the tower is manned, the lights are on and the fire station is manned for all flights .. even after 11 if needs be.. I do know this, not sure how I can prove it to you.
All I am saying is the truth, everything easily verified if you spend time up there seeing what goes on.
I can find nothing that says flights are banned, can you? You seem to know the 106, point me to the wording.
I've had enough of this.
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