About Neil Matthews

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Folkestone & Hythe

Neil Says

Folkestone & Hythe has been my home for over 20 years. I know people across the constituency, with friends and contacts from my years as a Parish Councillor, District Councillor, Mayor of Hythe and Liberal Democrat member and campaigner.

I'm delighted to have been selected as the Parliamentary candidate for Folkestone & Hythe, as I strongly believe the Liberal Democrats can win here at the General Election, and I would love the chance to represent our area and the Liberal Democrats. I am committed to:

• work hard for Folkestone and Hythe, working with and leading strong campaigns for our local services

• help develop our campaigning strength across our area

• work with all campaigners to raise the Party's and other candidate's press profile

• keep in touch with all members throughout the year

• hold regular, advertised candidates surgeries to allow local residents and members to talk to me face-to-face

• when elected be a full-time MP for Folkestone & Hythe, with no other job or directorships.

Contact Neil Matthews

About Neil

On 10th May 2008, Liberal Democrat members from across Folkestone & Hythe selected Neil Matthews as their Parliamentary candidate for the seat at the next General Election.

Born on 30 December 1952, Neil has lived in Brockhill Road in Hythe for 22 years. Married to Sally for 32 years, they have three grown-up sons: Olly, Toby and Sam.

Neil is qualified as a Marine Engineer and Health & Safety Officer, and works part-time at a local College of Further Education.

Political Experience

• Saltwood Parish Councillor since 1995, chaired the Council for 4 years, and currently Vice-Chair.

• Mayor of Hythe 2006-07. Hythe Finance Chair 2004-05, delivering a zero rise in Hythe Council Tax.

• Shepway District Councillor for Hythe Central 2003-7.

News from Neil

Thu 9th Oct 2008:

Icelandic banks had been a concern for some time: Matthews

Commenting on the £50 million Kent County Council had deposited in now collapsed Icelandic banks, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Folkestone and Hythe, Neil Matthews, commented:

Wed 8th Oct 2008:

Former Nepali Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba welcomed to Shepway

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Folkestone & Hythe, Neil Matthews, joined Folkestone Councillors Dhan Gurung, Lynne Beaumont, Tim Prater and Peter Carroll in welcoming the former Prime Minister of Nepal, Sher Bahadur Deuba, to Shepway on Tuesday afternoon.

Tue 7th Oct 2008:

RSPB: Final Lydd Airport consultation changes nothing

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Folkestone & Hythe Neil Matthews has strongly welcomed news that the RSPB have come out against Lydd Airport expansion plans, saying "Lydd remains one of the most inappropriate and dangerous locations to run a large airport".

Sat 27th Sep 2008:

Matthews issues economy challenge to local Conservatives

The Liberal Democrats in Shepway have thrown down the gauntlet to the Conservatives on the eve of their conference by demanding answers to questions about the economy.

Sun 14th Sep 2008:

Gurkha Justice Reception at Liberal Democrat conference

Folkestone and Hythe Parliamentary Campaigner Neil Matthews, Shepway Liberal Democrat Group Leader Lynne Beaumont, Councillor Peter Carroll, Dhan Gurung, Tim Prater, Darren Briddock, Maureen Speller, Season Prater and many others have today joined a reception at Lib Dem conference in Bournemouth organised by the Gurkha Army Ex-Servicemen's Organisation (GAESO).

Thu 21st Aug 2008:

Liberal Democrats in Shepway back calls for UK energy independence

Liberal Democrats in Shepway have given their strong backing to ambitious calls by Nick Clegg MP for Britain to become self-sufficient in energy.

Tue 19th Aug 2008:

Tory think tank call an insult to our Country

Liberal Democrats in Shepway have described a call by a Conservative-leaning think tank for people from towns and cities of the North to pack their bags and move to the South as appalling.

Sun 27th Jul 2008:

Neil Matthews questions Police on Cheriton robberies during Folkestone Station visit

Neil Matthews recently spent a day at the Folkestone Police headquarters, including a morning briefing with Chief Inspector Ivan Pickering, a tour of the headquarters and visit to the Community Safety Unit where a multi-agency approach is taken dealing with all kinds of community problems, from dog fouling to ASBOs.

Fri 25th Jul 2008:

RSPB Reserve another reason why Lydd Airport expansion should be blocked: Matthews

Folkestone & Hythe's Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesman Neil Matthews visited the RSPB reserve at Dungeness today with Lib Dem District Council Group Leader Lynne Beaumont.

Tue 15th Jul 2008:

"If someone is prepared to die for our country, they should be able to live in our country"

Lib Dem Parliamentary spokesman Neil Matthews has warmly welcomed the intervention of Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg in backing a Freedom of Information request on its Gurkha policies. Nick Clegg has written to Gordon Brown urging him to end the Government's legal challenges that prevent the release of 50 files relating to its policy on Gurkha soldiers, and repeated his call for the Prime Minister to grant veteran Gurkhas the British citizenship they deserve.

Wed 9th Jul 2008:

Matthews: Conservatives walk away from phone mast battle

Shepway campaigner Neil Matthews has slated the Conservatives for refusing to support Lib Dem calls to tighten up planning rules on mobile phone masts. Currently, fewer restrictions govern planning applications for phone masts up to 15 metres in height, often making it difficult for councils to refuse permission for controversial proposals.

Mon 30th Jun 2008:

Matthews: Mugabe should quit

Robert Mugabe has used force on his own people to secure another 5 years as President of Zimbabwe. On Sunday, Zimbabwe election officials declared Robert Mugabe the winner of Friday's - uncontested - presidential poll.

Tue 27th May 2008:

Matthews Speaks out Against Lydd Airport Expansion at Public Meeting

Neil Matthews attended a meeting at Lydd Airport on Friday (23rd May). The meeting had been called by FLAG (Friends of Lydd Airport Group) who wished to question the Liberal Democrat, Conservative and Labour Parliamentary Candidates about their views concerning the expansion of the airport.

Tue 20th May 2008:

Matthews Joins Shepway Members in Supporting the Lib Dem Campaign in Henley

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary spokesman for Folkestone & Hythe, Neil Matthews, has joined Liberal Democrats from across the country in helping in the Party's campaign in Henley-on-Thames. Henley faces a by-election following the election of MP Boris Johnson as the Mayor of London, and the Liberal Democrats are the clear challengers to the Conservatives for the seat.

Sun 11th May 2008:

Neil Matthews Selected as Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Folkestone & Hythe

Shepway Liberal Democrats last night selected Neil Matthews as the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Folkestone and Hythe at the next General Election. Neil has lived in the constituency for over 20 years with his family, and has served as a Parish Councillor, including as Chair and Vice Chair, Town Councillor, Mayor of Hythe and District Councillor.

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