Off the Record

While all parties are seemingly on an election footing, the Conservatives seem to be particularly focused on being battle-ready in Kent.

At least judging by the number of party VIPs who have been trundling down to the county on what is often described as the political rubber chicken circuit.

These dinners are a staple part of party political fund raising but also a useful purpose for those with career aspirations or particular causes to press.

South Thanet Conservatives recently hosted a visit by the arch Brexiteer Jacob Rees Mogg, with activists paying £35 for a dinner and a question and answer session.

It seems more visits are in the pipeline.

Meanwhile, Canterbury will host a one day conference organised by Kent Conservatives next month with a string of guest speakers, including some cabinet members as well as some of the county’s MPs.

The venue for this gathering is being kept under wraps, however, with attendees being told that they will be notified of where to go 24 hours before the event takes place.

The conference will undoubtedly focus on what the Conservatives have to do to wrestle back control of the constituency that it lost to Labour in 2017.

Choosing the city to host the event is probably intended to indicate the party’s determination to ensure that Labour’s hold on the constituency is short-lived.

Brexit has produced a new vocabulary to politics.

This includes the growing use of the phrase “sub optimal” which to the man or woman on the street means “not very good.”