It has been a privilege to have been selected and stood for election as the Liberal Democrat Candidate for North Thanet.  I would like to add to Sir Roger’s thanks to all involved in the running of this election and my heartfelt thanks to all in the local Liberal Democrats team and the support of my family and my husband.

I’m proud to have increased the vote for the Liberal Democrats to 7.1% in North Thanet, especially with a Backdrop of National TV and Press promoting a two party system with presidential style debates.  Boris or Jeremy / Johnson or Corbyn?

I would like to pay tribute to our local press who have worked hard to ensure even handed coverage of all candidates in this election.

There are Four candidates standing here and until we move to  proportional representation, this adversarial FPTP system will continue to promote division and hatred – yes hatred – in our society where so many people feel we are not represented by those who govern us and that our vote is a wasted vote.

Under this outdated FPTP system tonight 62 % of voters in North Thanet are “winners” today as opposed to 38 % of “losers”.

Sir Roger, As I congratulate you on your success this evening, I call upon you as a one nation Conservative to take us all with you in your mind every time you walk into the House of Commons:

Keep the homeless people in Thanet in your mind, Keep the Teachers and Nurses in Thanet struggling every day to look after their charges in cash strapped schools and hospitals in your mind.  And keep both the Leave and Remain voters in your mind as you bear the responsibility for negotiating on our behalf the future relationship we have with the European Union.

 Angie Curwen, Liberal Democrats Candidate for North Thanet 2019