The FBI, teachers’ stress and an upbeat party leader

It is becoming tricky keeping tabs on the number of investigations going on into election spending in certain parts of the county, notably of course in Thanet. This week saw two more inquiries under way, this time with Ukip the centre of attention.

First EU auditors questioned spending by the party on polling surveys in South Thanet and that led to the UK’S own electoral watchdog starting its own investigation - which is on top of one it has already started into spending by the Conservatives.

And we must not forget that there is also an investigation by police which is examining claims about Conservative spending on its campaign in the South Thanet seat where Nigel Farage failed to become MP.

It can’t be long before the FBI get involved.

Teachers are “undervalued, underpaid” and do stressful work, according to research by county education bosses revealed this week. And who is saying that? No, not teachers but pupils and parents. And if that is the perception, things must be pretty bad.

Kent had its first “official” visit by Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron this week as the man who succeeded Nick Clegg travelled to Maidstone and Canterbury.

And he was surprisingly upbeat about the party’s prospects in the county saying that it could exploit the territory opened up by a more right-wing Conservative party and a more left-wing Labour party.

We shall see. The party is starting from a fairly low base in the county - it is in the political foothills with Everest not even in sight. Base camp will be the county council elections next year.

Ever heard of the Sub-national Transport Body for the South East?

No, neither had we until this week but we are going to get one even if we don’t want one. And what will it do?

According to a report to county councillors, Kent will be teaming up with other parts of the region to “prepare a transport strategy for an area which would set out proposals for the promotion and encouragement of safe, sustainable, integrated, efficient, economic and strategic transport facilities to and from the area of the SNTB.”

Kent’s partners in this initiative will be East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Surrey county councils, along with Brighton & Hove City and Medway council.

Who said regionalisation was dead? Follow Paul on Twitter @Paulonpolitics