by Graham Tutthill gtutthill@thekmgroup.co.uk

Veteran campaigner Vic Matcham believes he may be setting a new record - by standing for seven seats in next month’s elections. And he has won four seats without even facing the voters.

Mr Matcham, who is 69 and is currently a member of River Parish Council, set his sights on a seat on the district council, another on Dover Town Council, as well as five parish councils.

“I think it must be a record,” he said.

“But it’s not about promoting Vic Matcham, it’s about trying to get councillors out and about campaigning, and more people to go to the polls and vote. I am concerned there will be a very poor turn-out at the elections with the same people standing. Without new faces, there is no incentive to make changes in how to run a parish.

“Too many times parish councillors don’t have to worry because there are either insufficient candidates nominated for the seats available, or there are just the right number. So there isn’t an election.

“I want councillors to have to go out and knock on people’s doors and canvass for their votes, and I want more voters to go to the polls."

Mr Matcham has already gained seats on the parish councils at Whitfield, River, Lydden and Temple Ewell where there are either sufficient, or not enough, candidates to fill the seats. He is also standing at Alkham where there was one too many nominations.

Full story in this week's Dover Mercury.

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