Julian Brazier believes east Kent’s blend of vibrant urban centres and heritage make it the ideal place to become the UK’s City of Culture in 2017.

The Tory MP for Canterbury and Whitstable has written to culture minister Ed Vaizey to
throw his support behind east Kent’s bid.

He said: “Despite its proximity to London, east Kent maintains its own distinct cultural and regional characteristics.
“It combines some of England’s most beautiful countryside with vibrant towns and ancient cities.

“Canterbury’s role as an artistic and cultural centre is well-known and the Canterbury
Festival has been an important event for many years.”

Kent County Council and Canterbury City Council are spearheading the 2017 bid, and have won the backing of cultural groups throughout the county.

East Kent – which includes Canterbury, Ashford, Dover, Folkestone and Thanet – is competing against 10 bids from places such as Hull, Leicester, Plymouth, Portsmouth and Southampton, and Southend.

The winner could end up hosting events such as the Brit Awards and the Turner Prize.

In his letter to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Mr Brazier extols east Kent’s rich cultural landscape.

He says: “The Marlowe Theatre, since reopening in October 2011, contributes over £22 million per annum to the local economy.

“Over 400,000 visitors have visited the Beaney House of Art & Knowledge since its reopening in September 2012 and it is a finalist in the Art Fund Prize for Museum of the Year.

“There have also been great Whitstable successes in previous years at the regular festival of contemporary visual art, the Whitstable Biennale.”

“There are also a number of emerging creative micro-industries contributing to Britain’s innovative digital economy as more and more businesses choose to base themselves in East Kent.

“This was evidenced by the very successful Game Expo East Kent in Margate earlier this year.

“Having tendered an exceptional bid for … City of Culture, I hope the department will select east Kent.”

All the bids will be considered by an independent advisory panel before a shortlist is announced in June.