Kent Messenger Maidstone

Where did Lib Dem big-hitters go?

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The Maidstone and The Weald parliament­ary seat has seen some high-profile campaignin­g by previous Liberal Democrat contenders, but what became of them?

The party fielded journalist and writer Jasper Gerard in 2015, who fronted a campaign that rattled a few Tory nerves.

Despite a huge effort, the party saw its hopes of causing an upset crash as the Tories vote held up and increased its majority.

Mr Gerard was born and brought up in the Weald, lives near Tunbridge Wells and is married with two children. His career in journalism included stints as chief interviewe­r for The Sunday Times and Times leader writer.

He also wrote speeches for previous party leaders.

After losing in 2015, he became the party’s national press officer.

Jasper Gerard succeeded Peter Carroll as the candidate who in 2010 mastermind­ed a highly effective campaign that cut the Conservati­ve majority to just under 6,000.

He has been a well-known campaigner in Kent, notably on behalf of the Gurkha Justice Campaign. He also had a hand in the fair fuel campaign, widely credited with persuading the government to abandon fuel duty rises.

He also helped Kent’s first crime commission­er, Ann Barnes, be elected and went on to be her adviser for a short period.

In 2013, he was appointed special adviser to chief secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander but left the role after the 2015 general election going on to start a consultanc­y, Tendo, which specialise­s in public relations, public affairs and campaignin­g.

 ??  ?? Kent County Council has put aside £2 million to pay for the county council elections on Thursday
Kent County Council has put aside £2 million to pay for the county council elections on Thursday
 ??  ?? Former candidates Jasper Gerard and Peter Carroll
Former candidates Jasper Gerard and Peter Carroll
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 ??  ?? Labour’S Allen Simpson
Labour’S Allen Simpson

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