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00:00Hello and welcome to Kent Tonight, live here on KMTV.
00:21I'm Finn McDermott and here are your top stories on Wednesday the 8th of October.
00:25Mutiny in the marshlands, thousands sign petition to stop controversial powerline.
00:30If you're destroying the environment, how can that be saving it?
00:34Thanington Fields under threat, park and ride development sparks uproar in Canterbury.
00:39I strongly believe that without me growing up in Thanington and coming to this wreck,
00:46probably every day for many, many years until it got dark,
00:50I wouldn't have achieved half the things I've achieved in my life.
00:53And from match days to matinees, we're at Canterbury's Marlowe Theatre
00:57to speak to the stars of hit football drama Dear England.
01:00He goes on this huge journey, the play does chart his entire tenure as England manager
01:04from taking over in 2016 up until 2024.
01:08But first tonight, nearly 16,000 East Kent residents have now signed a petition.
01:21This is all against the Sea Link development that's happening in the Minster marshes.
01:25Proposals for the £1.1 billion national grid scheme is aiming to connect 90 miles of undersea electricity cables between Kent and Suffolk.
01:33But conservationists and campaign groups have said the development will cause irreversible damage to the local environment.
01:40Our reporter Alfie Rowe has been finding out.
01:42On this local marshland, it's not only the swans who are making noise.
01:49Well, we're supposed to be, you know, saving the environment and saving the planet through net zero and all that.
01:56If you're destroying the environment, how can that be saving it?
02:01The source of outrage? The decision by National Grid, backed by the government, to cite this location for construction.
02:09National Grid aims to create a large power line development here.
02:13According to the plans, a large converter station will be built in these fields behind me for Sea Link,
02:19a 90-mile undersea cable linking Suffolk to Kent.
02:22However, the choice of location, Minster marshes, has caused concern among local residents.
02:28An online petition to pause the development has picked up momentum, with nearly 16,000 signatories calling on National Grid
02:35and the Secretary of State for Energy and Security, Ed Miliband, to look for alternative sites, citing environmental concerns.
02:43The scale of public support with the Segments to Marshes petition sends a clear message that people value nature
02:52and want energy infrastructure to happen in the right places, not at the expense of habitats that are irreplaceable.
03:00There are alternative sites, but they perceive this to be the cheapest site, but they haven't took into consideration the build conditions here.
03:09The water level, as you can see, is about a metre down from the surface.
03:14You know, as soon as you dig into the ground, you're going to hit water.
03:17If they go too deep with their excavations, there's possibly a chance that they'll hit saltwater down there,
03:23which then will flood the marsh with saltwater and destroy the marsh from growing crops,
03:28kill all the wildlife that needs fresh water.
03:31In a statement, a National Grid spokesperson said,
03:34We are committed to protecting wildlife throughout the ceiling project, including in Kent.
03:39As part of our planning application, we have carried out detailed environmental surveys
03:44and set out measures to reduce any impact on nature.
03:47Whilst refusing to comment on this specific project, the government said,
03:51We need new infrastructure to protect family and national finances with energy security
03:55through homegrown power we control, and connecting new transmission projects will cut down on constraint payments.
04:02However, due to the scale of opposition, moving forward, the ceiling project will have to wade through troubled waters.
04:09Alfie Rowe for KMTV in Thanep.
04:14Next, we're bringing you some very serious news.
04:17A 31-year-old from Snodland has been charged with murder following an alleged assault in the town.
04:23Ryan Greaves was arrested on the 2nd of July and initially charged in connection with causing grievous bodily harm,
04:30with intent for punching 51-year-old Daniel Beard in the head the previous day.
04:35Mr Beard was then airlifted to hospital, but died from his injuries nearly three months after the incident this Monday.
04:41Greaves was re-arrested and his charge was upgraded to murder.
04:45He was remanded to appear before Medway Magistrates Court today.
04:49Next, tonight, ripping out the heart of the community.
04:54That's the words of hundreds of Thanington residents.
04:57They said that's what will happen if plans are given the go-ahead to turn the recreation ground into a park-and-ride.
05:02Thanington Neighbourhood Resource Centre members say the green fields are crucial for local sports and get-togethers.
05:07But Couchbury City Council argue the move will provide much-needed parking and a final decision hasn't yet been made.
05:15Well, on that decision, our reporter Henry Luck sat in on a campaign meeting to find out more.
05:21Hundreds of Thanington residents have gathered to show why this local green space matters to them.
05:30As the site could be concreted over to create a large park-and-ride space,
05:37following a proposal by Canterbury City Council for their local plan.
05:44If plans for the park-and-ride are successful, then this entire green space behind me will be taken up by a 900 space park-and-ride.
05:56For many of the guests here, they say the sports field has helped to shape their lives and others around them.
06:05Because of my time spent on this grass, that influenced the rest of my life, if I'm honest.
06:11It influenced my travelling, all the sports that I got into as a result.
06:16I strongly believe that without me growing up in Thanington and coming to this wreck,
06:23probably every day for many, many years until it got dark,
06:27I wouldn't have achieved half the things I've achieved in my life.
06:30I believe this plan is unworkable, unsustainable and unjust.
06:36It's a concrete white elephant that will never be green again.
06:41My objection to the letter, sorry, the proposal to the council ends as
06:48to even consider this plan shows an unbelievable lack of imagination and insight.
06:54The plan that we've had of helping young people from this district and this area move forward
07:00and take the steps that they want to take and travel the roads they want to show.
07:04So we've had CJ talk about her England career.
07:07We've got Charlie at the other end of it starting his journey.
07:11This is why we need Thanington wreck, this is why we need the resource centre.
07:15The two are side by side.
07:18However, Canterbury City Council have assured that the local plan is only in the draft stage
07:26and will be for almost the next two weeks.
07:30They are inviting as many people as possible to take part in the consultation
07:36before any final decisions are made.
07:39But the residents of Fannington are fighting to make sure this green space stays around for generations.
07:49Henry Luck for Kame TV in Canterbury.
07:53In some political news now, universities across Kent and the rest of the country will have to cap student numbers.
08:02That's one of the major headlines from Kemi Badenoch's speech at the Conservative Party conference.
08:06The party leader's keynote address was packed with new policies including abolishing stamp duty.
08:11The party leader was under pressure to deliver the speech of her political career.
08:15Some are calling it as the Conservatives trail labour and reform in the polls.
08:19Rob Bailey from the Kent Politics Show and the University of Kent spoke with me earlier.
08:24Well, thank you so much for joining us, Rob.
08:26And I suppose my first question is, can you give us a bit of an overview of Kemi Badenoch's speech
08:31and some key points that people might have missed?
08:34Well, yes. I mean, obviously this is a crucial moment for Kemi Badenoch.
08:38It's her first address to the Tory conference as leader.
08:42It's a chance for her to redefine the Conservative Party after its general election defeat last year.
08:47And I think people expected her to come out swinging.
08:50She's under pressure as a leader already, particularly because of the rise of reform.
08:55So we've heard today about an axing stamp duty.
08:59We've heard her talking about huge cuts to the civil service.
09:02We've talked about huge benefits cuts, which are being supported particularly by Helen Waitley,
09:07the Favisham and McKent MP, who's the Shadow Secretary for Work and Pensions.
09:12And obviously talk we'd already heard before the conference, but doubled down on today about sending back people who arrive illegally in the country.
09:20So big policies that are being talked about, things that she thinks will put the Conservatives back on track to challenge reform.
09:27But critics might be thinking two things in response to this one.
09:31Why didn't the Conservatives do these things when they were in power just a year ago?
09:36And if she has a plan to make these things work now, then where's the detail?
09:40Because that's often been where Kemi Badenoch has faltered in interviews around this conference season.
09:46I see. And I want to highlight one particular point in her speech.
09:50She said the government would bring back the cap on the number of university students, cutting around 100,000 per year.
09:56She says this will stop poor job prospects and high debt for students,
10:00while the University and College Union has described it as economically illiterate.
10:05As a university professor yourself, can you give us some insight on this pledge?
10:08And what do you think about it?
10:10Well, universities will be very wary about this.
10:13The Conservative and the coalition government back in 2010 were the party that brought in fully funded tuition fees by students,
10:21which effectively meant that universities' main source of income is undergraduate tuition fees.
10:26So now seeing a Conservative leader going that extra step further and saying,
10:31we're going to make it harder for you to make money from that.
10:33We're going to reduce the number of undergraduates that you can take in.
10:37That will be seen as a direct challenge to the viability of universities.
10:40And as we know, universities are in trouble.
10:43And we've seen, we've had a lot of coverage on this station over the last few weeks about the mooted merger
10:49between the University of Kent and the University of Greenwich,
10:52which is a response to how difficult things already are for universities.
10:56This would certainly make it harder.
10:58But the other side of the coin, and I think a lot of people looking at Kevin Badenoch's speech today
11:03will be thinking the same thing is how credible is this?
11:06Is this really someone letting out a sales pitch for a potential future government at the end of this decade?
11:13Or could Kevin Badenoch not be in this position this time next year?
11:18Might there be a new leader of the Conservative Party with figures like Robert Jenrick quite openly still challenging her authority and making their own pitch to be party leader?
11:28So there'll be concern among universities.
11:31But this is very much a kind of hypothetical idea at the moment,
11:36rather than necessarily something that will turn into reality.
11:40Well, it looks like that's all we have time for on this part of the show.
11:43We've got a break coming up and I'll see you in just a few minutes.
11:46Goodbye.
11:48I'll see you next time.
11:50Bye.
11:51Bye.
12:18Bye.
12:48Bye.
12:49Bye.
13:18Bye.
13:19Bye.
13:48Bye.
13:49Bye.
14:18Bye.
14:19Bye.
14:48Welcome back to Kent Tonight Live here on KMTV.
15:09Now, we're going to be bringing you some very interesting footage.
15:12Officers had body cameras that recorded the moment they stormed three properties in Canterbury
15:16and Hearn Bay.
15:17as part of an operation to bust a suspected drugs network.
15:22Four arrests have been made, and the police say large amounts of suspected Class A and B drugs
15:26were seized across all three homes.
15:29We can actually have a look at that body cam footage from the raid now.
15:47Next, if you live or work in North Fleet, you're being advised to keep your doors and windows
16:14closed. This comes after a major fire at a scrap metal site in the town.
16:20You can see here some of the images of the fire. This was earlier this morning.
16:24You can see huge plumes and pillars of smoke just filling the skies.
16:28Now, this fire did have to have 10 fire engines that were called to the scene,
16:32and Kent Fire and Rescue have asked those to share any updates with friends or families
16:35who might not have access to the internet in the area.
16:40Luckily, no injuries have been reported.
16:42Next, don't forget you can keep up to date with all your latest stories across Kent
16:47by logging on to our website, that's kmtv.co.uk.
16:51There, you'll find all our reports, including this one,
16:53where we ask the people of Rochester's opinion on the government's new scheme
16:57to roll our digital IDs out across the UK.
17:00The government's plans for a mandatory new digital ID have been announced,
17:05with two main purposes, to deter illegal migrants from coming into the country
17:09and to streamline public services.
17:12And although the government has promised face-to-face support
17:14and alternative routes for those who might struggle to access the scheme,
17:18people in Rochester seem concerned for older people
17:20who might not be as technologically skilled.
17:23I worry how the old will interact with this card.
17:28My mother's 93, doesn't have a computer.
17:31Yeah, I help out, I'm a nurse, though, I do, even though I'm a paediatric nurse,
17:35I help out my old elderly neighbours and people like my nan.
17:38They already struggle, as it is, going online, and I have to generally do it for them.
17:43Like, elderly people, they're not used to the technology, which is now,
17:46I mean, in the last ten years it's been such a boom in technology.
17:49So I think that could be a big struggle and a worry for them.
17:53There's still a lot of older people that cannot access it online.
17:59Now, the digital ID will only ask you for some very basic information.
18:02Your name, date of birth, your nationality, and a photo of you for biometric security.
18:07And that's one of the concerns, security.
18:09But the government assure us that, just like a contactless card or your NHS app,
18:13all this data will be stored on your phone.
18:15And experts say that with this security concern and the ease of using it,
18:20especially for elderly people,
18:21examples of it being used in Australia, Estonia, and Denmark
18:24are good examples of why it might be actually quite easy to adopt.
18:28Personally, I don't think that will be an issue,
18:31and particularly because this has been widely used in many other countries.
18:35And this such accessibility problem has been well considered elsewhere.
18:40The security standards and practices of securing, you know,
18:46things like that has been pretty much matured.
18:49And again, I have to refer to other countries, again, European, particularly unions.
18:55According to Prime Minister Keir Starmer,
18:58digital ID is an enormous opportunity for the UK.
19:01It will make it tougher to work illegally in this country,
19:04making our borders more secure.
19:05And it will also offer ordinary citizens countless benefits,
19:08like being able to prove your identity to access key services swiftly,
19:12rather than hunting around for an old utility bill.
19:15However, there is a petition arguing that the government shouldn't go ahead with the ID cards.
19:19It currently sits at more than 2,600,000 signatures,
19:23with areas of Kent contributing as well,
19:25especially the East Coast, with Dover and Deal
19:28contributing the most signatures in the county.
19:31The government will be launching a public consultation later this year
19:34to make sure the ID is as inclusive and accessible as possible,
19:37especially for groups like the elderly or the homeless.
19:40And while many might be worried for their older relatives,
19:43experts say the concept that's been adopted well overseas
19:45shouldn't be dismissed too hastily.
19:48Finn McDermid for KMTV in Rochester.
19:53A great report there from definitely one of our star reporters here at the studio.
19:58You can have a look at those reports,
20:00some of my reports, I mean our reports, on our website.
20:03But for now, let's take a look at the weather.
20:11Clear skies tonight, highs of 12 in Canterbury
20:13and lows of 11 in Dartford,
20:15with some low wind speeds throughout the evening.
20:18Into tomorrow morning, a clear start to the day,
20:20with temperatures dropping to 10 in some parts of the west,
20:22highs of 12 in Dover.
20:24And tomorrow evening, cloudy skies in some parts of the county,
20:27with highs of 17 in Ashford,
20:29lows of 16 in Tunbridge Wells.
20:31And for your outlook,
20:32a cloudy Friday with some sun on Saturday,
20:34cloud returning by the end of the week.
20:36Temperatures of 17 on Friday,
20:37dropping all the way down to 16 on Sunday.
20:40The red-billed chuff, the blean bison,
20:49the office when there's a deadline.
20:51All iconic Kent animals.
20:53And now, a brood of capybara pups.
20:55Well, Kent's animal kingdom, sorry,
20:57has an exciting new addition,
20:59as we welcome the arrival of the largest rodent,
21:02the capybara.
21:02Let's have a look.
21:03Keepers at Wingham Wildlife Park
21:07have announced the arrival of three babies,
21:09with their mum Rio clearly in good health.
21:11Capybaras, as I said,
21:12are the largest rodents in the world
21:14and are native to South America.
21:16Oh, look at that.
21:17Isn't that cute?
21:19A statement from Wingham Wildlife Park
21:21said they're doing it beautifully
21:22and are a must-see.
21:25Very cute.
21:26Well, next up,
21:27it's time to catch up
21:28on all the latest sporting news.
21:30Maybe not so cute if you're a Gillingham fan.
21:33Well, let's hear from Etterley Reynolds.
21:44First in football,
21:46Gillingham crashed out of the Virtue Trophy
21:48after a dramatic 2-1 loss to Colchester United.
21:51The Gills took the lead after 15 minutes
21:53when Sam Vauxx found the back of the net.
21:56But a late onslaught from the Colchester side
21:58saw the Essex side strike twice
22:00in the closing minutes to snatch victory.
22:02Gillingham were dominant in the second half,
22:04but the wind went out of their sails
22:05after Mkay Mbik's equaliser,
22:08and they went down to 10 men
22:09after Lenny Serrano was sent off
22:11for a double yellow.
22:12Stand-in manager Richard Dobson,
22:14covering for Gareth Ainsworth
22:16as he recovers from heart surgery,
22:18said this has been a learning experience
22:20for the team.
22:21In rugby,
22:22Medway women beat local rivals
22:24Canterbury 29-10 on Sunday
22:26in their NC1 league fixture.
22:29Medway started out dominant
22:31with Ellie MacDonald crossing early
22:32to give the home side momentum.
22:34But Canterbury struck back with a try.
22:37Medway responded with determination
22:39and Sidney Cowell dived for their second try.
22:42The team remained dominant in the second half,
22:45scoring a third try.
22:46Canterbury managed to narrow the gap,
22:48but Medway held off any possible comeback.
22:50Ellie MacDonald finished with two tries
22:53and Ellie Stully sealed the win.
22:55And finally, on the water,
22:57and Chatham's George Elmore
22:58took first place at the final round
23:00of the FA British Powerboat Championship.
23:03Despite clipping a turn boy
23:05and starting the first race
23:06from the back of the grid,
23:08Elmore clawed back to the top of the podium.
23:10Elmore's rival Ben Morse
23:12had entered the final weekend
23:13as a front runner,
23:14holding a 10-point advantage
23:16and did end up taking the title
23:17with George claiming silver.
23:19The Kingfisher Fire and Security
23:21Powerboat Racing Team
23:23also celebrated winning the F2 title
23:25with their team boss, Ian Blacker,
23:27saying to see both his and George
23:29on the top step of the podium
23:30with a double victory in both classes
23:32in the third and final round
23:34of the British Championship
23:35makes it all worthwhile.
23:38He added to be crowned,
23:39the F2 2025 British Championship
23:41is simply brilliant.
23:49Now, not to steal any of Etterly's thunder,
23:54but we actually have a little bit more sports news.
23:57From pitch side to centre stage,
23:59Canterbury's Marlowe Theatre
24:00is playing host to an award-winning drama
24:02that tells the story of Gareth Southgate's time
24:04as the England men's football manager.
24:07Dear England follows the trials
24:08and, yeah, definitely tribulations
24:10from 2016 all the way to 2024.
24:12While some football fans, including myself,
24:15might not want to relive
24:16some of those three lines near misses,
24:18the play has actually received widespread acclaim
24:20and it's currently being turned into a TV series.
24:23Maisie Walker has spent some extra time
24:24with the stars of the show.
24:27Lights, camera, action.
24:29A play about the struggles and successes
24:31of the England men's football team
24:33has arrived at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury.
24:36The play follows Gareth Southgate
24:38through his hardships,
24:39exploring themes such as identity and leadership.
24:43Beginning at a low point for the team,
24:44following years of disappointment,
24:47Southgate takes over as manager,
24:48knowing he must face the past
24:50and find a new way forward.
24:52Play does chart his entire tenure as England manager
24:55from taking over in 2016 up until 2024
24:58when he left the post
25:00when Thomas Tuchel took over.
25:03So within that eight years,
25:05managing the England men's team
25:07for over 100 games,
25:08there's obviously huge ups and downs
25:12and moments of confidence,
25:15moments where that confidence is knocked
25:18or there's a lot of self-doubt.
25:21So really it's sort of the whole journey
25:23which is challenging,
25:26but equally it's because it's such a great journey
25:29that makes it so rewarding to play.
25:32David also spoke about how he tackled the role
25:34of somebody so prominent in the public eye.
25:37The starting point is always the script
25:40and what I always go back to as well.
25:43But obviously with a character,
25:45you know, as written in the page,
25:46when it is based on someone
25:48who's in the public eye
25:50and is very well known,
25:51there's a lot of footage of him.
25:53So, you know,
25:54I was able to watch a lot of Gareth Southgate.
25:59As the match begins
26:00and the spotlight shines,
26:01Dear England tells the story
26:03of how belief, honesty
26:04and a new kind of leadership
26:05can bring a team together.
26:08Maisie Walker for KMTV, Canterbury.
26:10Brilliant.
26:11Well, hopefully audiences in Canterbury
26:13can't wait to see it.
26:14And if they can make a play
26:15all about England's near win
26:18for the trophy there,
26:20why can't they make one
26:20about my Sunday league team?
26:22Probably because we lost 14-0 every week.
26:24Well, that's all we have time for
26:26on this part of the show.
26:27But coming up,
26:27we'll take a look back at our top stories.
26:30We can see thousands of residents
26:31signing a petition all against
26:33the development in Minster Marshes.
26:35I heard it cost £1.1 billion.
26:37We'll have all that
26:38and obviously a bit more
26:39after this very short break.
26:41See you soon.
27:02Bye.
27:02Bye.
27:02Bye.
27:02Bye.
27:03Bye.
27:08Bye.
27:08Bye.
33:06on nature. Whilst refusing to comment on this specific project, the government said,
33:12we need new infrastructure to protect family and national finances with energy security
33:16through homegrown power we control, and connecting new transmission projects will cut down on
33:21constraint payments. However, due to the scale of opposition, moving forward, the ceiling project
33:27will have to wade through troubled waters. Alfie Rowe for KMTV, Inthannet.
33:33Next, a 31-year-old from Snodland's been charged with murder following an alleged assault in the town.
33:42Ryan Greaves was arrested on the 2nd of July and initially charged in connection with causing
33:47grievous bodily harm with intent for punching 51-year-old Daniel Beard in the head the previous
33:51day. Mr Beard was then airlifted to hospital but died from his injuries nearly three months after
33:57the incident this Monday. Greaves was re-arrested and his charge was upgraded to murder. He was
34:02remanded to appear before Medway Magistrates Court today. Now, this was some breaking news we had
34:09last night that emergency services were called to a collision between a joint response unit vehicle
34:14and a car outside Medway Police Station. Let's have a look. The crash happened at around seven o'clock
34:20yesterday evening and Kent Police say it was not a force vehicle, despite video captured showing Kent
34:26Police being written on the side of it. The other car sustained damage to its front and an ambulance
34:31was called to the scene. No injuries were reported. Inquiries into the circumstances of the collision
34:37remain ongoing.
34:43Next, tonight, ripping out the heart of the community. That's what hundreds of people in
34:48Thanington have said will happen if plans are given the go-ahead to turn their recreation ground
34:53into a park and ride. The neighbourhood resource centre members say the greenfields are crucial for
34:58local sports and get-togethers. But the council argue the move will provide much needed parking
35:03and that a financial decision has yet to be made. Our community reporter Henry Luck sat in
35:08on a campaign meeting to find out more. Hundreds of Thanington residents have gathered to show why
35:16this local green space matters to them. As the site could be concreted over to create a large
35:25park and ride space, following a proposal by Canterbury City Council for their local plan. If plans for the
35:34park and ride are successful, then this entire green space behind me will be taken up by a 900 space
35:44parking ride. For many of the guests here, they say the sports field has helped to shape their lives
35:53and others around them. Because of my time spent on this grass, that influenced the rest of my life,
36:00if I'm honest. It influenced my travelling, all the sports that I got into as a result. I strongly believe
36:07that without me growing up in Thanington and coming to this wreck, probably every day for many,
36:14many years until it got dark, I wouldn't have achieved half the things I've achieved in my life.
36:20I believe this plan is unworkable, unsustainable and unjust. It's a concrete white elephant that will never be
36:29green again. My objection to the letter, sorry, the proposal to the council ends as to even consider
36:40this plan shows an unbelievable lack of imagination and insight. We've had of helping young people from
36:46this district and this area move forward and take the steps that they want to take and travel the
36:53roads they want to show. So we've had CJ talk about her England career. We've got Charlie at the
36:59other end of it starting his journey. This is why we need Cullington wreck. This is why we need the
37:04Resource Centre. The two are side by side. However, Canterbury City Council have assured that the local
37:12plan is only in the draft stage and will be for almost the next two weeks. They are inviting as many
37:21people as possible to take part in the consultation before any final decisions are made.
37:29But the residents of Fannington are fighting to make sure this green space
37:35stays around for generations. Henry Luck for Kame TV in Canterbury.
37:46Next, universities across Kent and the rest of the country will have to cap student numbers.
37:50That's one of the major headlines from Kemi Badenoch's speech at the Conservative Party
37:54Conference. The party leader's address was packed with new policies, which included abolishing the
37:59duty on stamps. Badenoch was also under pressure to deliver the speech of her political career
38:05as the Tories trail Labour and reform in the polls. The Kent politics shows Rob Bailey spoke with me
38:10earlier moments after Badenoch left the podium. Well, thank you so much for joining us, Rob. And I
38:16suppose my first question is, can you give us a bit of an overview of Kemi Badenoch's speech and
38:21some key points that people might have missed? Well, yes. I mean, obviously, this is a crucial
38:26moment for Kemi Badenoch. It's her first address the Tory conference as leader. It's a chance for
38:32her to redefine the Conservative Party after its general election defeat last year. And I think
38:38people expected her to come out swinging. She's under pressure as a leader already, particularly
38:43because of the rise of reform. So we've heard today about an axing stamp duty. We've heard her
38:49talking about huge cuts to the civil service. We've talked about huge benefits cuts, which are being
38:54supported particularly by Helen Waitley, the Favisham and McKen MP, who's the Shadow Secretary for Work and
39:01Pensions. And obviously talk we'd already heard before the conference, but doubled down on today about
39:06sending back people who arrive illegally in the country. So big policies that are being talked
39:12about, things that she thinks will put the Conservatives back on track to challenge reform.
39:17But critics might be thinking two things in response to this. One, why didn't the Conservatives do these
39:22things when they were in power just a year ago? And if she has a plan to make these things work now,
39:27then where's the detail? Because that's often been where Kemi Badenoch has faltered in interviews
39:34around this conference season. I see. And I want to highlight one particular point in her speech.
39:39She said the government would bring back the cap on the number of university students,
39:43cutting around 100,000 per year. She says this will stop poor job prospects and high debt for students,
39:49while the University and College Union has described it as economically illiterate. As a university
39:55professor yourself, can you give us some insight on this pledge? And what do you think about it?
39:59Well, universities will be very wary about this. The Conservative and the coalition government back
40:05in 2010 were the party that brought in fully funded tuition fees by students, which effectively meant
40:11that universities' main source of income is undergraduate tuition fees. So now seeing a
40:17Conservative leader going that extra step further and saying we're going to make it harder for you to
40:22make money from that, we're going to reduce the number of undergraduates that you can take in,
40:26that will be seen as a direct challenge to the viability of universities. And as we know,
40:31universities are in trouble. We've had a lot of coverage on this station over the last few weeks
40:37about the mooted merger between the University of Kent and the University of Greenwich, which is a
40:42response to how difficult things already are for universities. This would certainly make it harder.
40:48But the other side of the coin, and I think a lot of people looking at Kemi Badenoch's speech
40:52today will be thinking the same thing, is how credible is this? Is this really someone
40:57laying out a sales pitch for a potential future government at the end of this decade?
41:03Or could Kemi Badenoch not be in this position this time next year? Might there be a new leader
41:08of the Conservative Party, with figures like Robert Jenrick quite openly still challenging her authority
41:14and making their own pitch to be party leader? So there'll be concern among universities. But this is
41:20very much a kind of hypothetical idea at the moment, rather than necessarily something that
41:27will turn into reality. Well, it looks like that's all we have time for on this part of the show. But
41:33don't go anywhere. Coming up after the break, Etterley Reynolds will bring us all the latest sports news
41:37from across the county. Catch you after this break.
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45:38Now, this is some very interesting footage we're about to show you.
45:42Officers' body cameras recorded the moment they stormed three properties in Canterbury
45:45and Hearn Bay, all as part of an operation to bust a suspected drugs network. Four arrests
45:50have been made and the police say large amounts of suspected Class A and B drugs were seized
45:54across all three homes. Let's have a look at that footage.
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46:23Now, don't forget you can keep up to date with all your latest stories across Kent by logging on to our website, that's kmtv.co.uk.
46:43There you'll find all our reports, including this one, about Stagecoach raising their bus fare prices across East Kent.
46:49As the rising cost of living continues to affect all elements of daily life across Kent, the last thing we need is a more expensive bus ticket into town.
47:01Stagecoach, the UK's largest bus operator and a major transport provider across East Kent, increased the price of their bus fares last Sunday.
47:09Now, a short journey will cost £1.90, up from £1.80, a medium-length journey will cost £2.70 from £2.60, and longer-length journeys will stay the same at £3, as per the new £3 bus cap that came into force early this year.
47:26The increases, though marginal, are the second price shake-ups from Stagecoach this year, following changes that coincided with the government's decision to up the maximum spend for one journey on a bus from £2 to £3.
47:39In January 2025, a local deer rider went from £5.70 to £6. Now, a local deer rider has increased again to £6.30.
47:51Buses form a vital part of local infrastructure, particularly important for young people, the elderly and families.
47:59Even a small increase in prices over time will compound.
48:03If me and my kids want to come into town, it's the same as getting a taxi each way.
48:08I will walk into town most times, purely because it just seems unnecessary, the amount of money that we have to spend on the buses now.
48:16It's a good idea because they do provide a good service. They always turn up on time. They come from Canterbury, Ashford, Sydney, or wherever. They're on time. Not like this lot behind you.
48:26Stagecoach, on their website, explain they understand frustration, but such an increase in fares is necessary to cover the daily costs of running bus services, such as higher fuel prices and investing in customer service.
48:42Stagecoach has been unable to give a more comprehensive comment at this time.
48:46But some people feel a more detailed explanation from bus companies might make them more sympathetic to rising fare prices.
48:54People can't object. It's just false, don't they?
48:59If we were to know why they're putting the bus fares up because they need this out of the other, then maybe we'd be more understanding.
49:06But I think sometimes we just kind of see the price increases and we never kind of know why.
49:11We just go, oh yeah, you've got to pay more. That's it.
49:1310 pence for most people might not make a difference, but 10 pence a day can quickly become an extra £1.40 a week and £5.60 a month.
49:25For those on the poverty line, having already needed to accommodate additional changes earlier this year, this money adds up.
49:32This is Megan Shaw for KMTV in Maidstone.
49:37Now let's take a look at the weather for the coming days.
49:43Clear skies tonight with highs of 12 in Canterbury and lows of 11 in Dartford with low wind speeds throughout the evening.
49:52Now into tomorrow morning, a clear start to the day.
49:54Temperatures dropping though to 10 in some parts of the west, highs of 12.
49:58And tomorrow evening, cloudy skies in some parts of the county with highs of 17 in Ashford and lows of 16 in Tunbridge Wells.
50:05Here's your outlook.
50:06A cloudy Friday with some sun on Saturday, but cloud returning by the end of the week.
50:09Temperatures of 17 on Friday, dropping to 16 on Sunday.
50:21Speaking of the weather, you've heard of it raining cats and dogs, but how about big rats?
50:25The capybara is the largest rodent in the world, and we've got a new brood of them right here in Kent.
50:32You're used to red-billed chuffs and the baleen bison, but now we've welcomed the arrival of several capybara.
50:37Let's have a look.
50:39Keepers at Wingham Wildlife Park have announced the arrival of three babies with their mum, Rio, in good health.
50:45Capybaras are the largest rodents in the world.
50:48They're also native to South America.
50:49They are unfortunately threatened by deforestation and illegal poaching.
50:53A statement from Wingham Wildlife Park said they are doing beautifully and are a must-see.
50:59Very sweet.
51:00Next up, it's time to catch up on all the latest sporting news with Etterley Reynolds.
51:04First in football, Gilliam crashed out of the Virtue Trophy after a dramatic 2-1 loss to Colchester United.
51:21The Gills took the lead after 15 minutes when Sam Vauxx found the back of the net.
51:26But a late onslaught from the Colchester side saw the Essex side strike twice in the closing minutes to snatch victory.
51:32Gillingham were dominant in the second half, but the wind went out of their sails after Mkay Mbik's equaliser,
51:38and they went down to 10 men after Lenny Serrano was sent off for a double yellow.
51:42Stand-in manager Richard Dobson, covering for Gareth Ainsworth as he recovers from heart surgery,
51:48said this has been a learning experience for the team.
51:51In rugby, Medway women beat local rivals Canterbury 29-10 on Sunday in their NC1 league fixture.
51:59Medway started out dominant with Ellie MacDonald crossing early to give the home side momentum.
52:04But Canterbury struck back with a try.
52:07Medway responded with determination and Sydney Cowell dived for their second try.
52:12The team remained dominant in the second half, scoring a third try.
52:16Canterbury managed to narrow the gap, but Medway held off any possible comeback.
52:21Ellie MacDonald finished with two tries, and Ellie Stully sealed the win.
52:25And finally, on the water, and Chatham's George Elmore took first place
52:29at the final round of the FA British Powerboat Championship.
52:33Despite clipping a turn boy and starting the first race from the back of the grid,
52:38Elmore clawed back to the top of the podium.
52:40Elmore's rival Ben Morse had entered the final weekend as a frontrunner,
52:44holding a 10-point advantage, and did end up taking the title, with George claiming silver.
52:50The Kingfisher Fire and Security Powerboat Racing team also celebrated winning the F2 title,
52:55with their team boss Ian Blacker saying to see both his and George on the top step of the podium,
53:00with a double victory in both classes in the third and final round of the British Championship,
53:06makes it all worthwhile.
53:08He added to be crowned,
53:09the F2 2025 British Championship is simply brilliant.
53:14Whether it's Ramsgate, Folkestone Victor or Chatham Town,
53:24watching your local Kent football team can often be filled with drama.
53:28Well, for visitors to Canterbury's Marlowe Theatre next month,
53:31it'll actually be football that'll be taking centre stage.
53:34The critically acclaimed play Dear England tells the story of Gareth Southgate's tenure
53:38as the Three Lions manager.
53:39It'll be coming to here in Kent as part of the national tour.
53:42Maisie Walker has been speaking to the stars of the show.
53:47Lights, camera, action.
53:49A play about the struggles and successes of the England men's football team
53:53has arrived at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury.
53:56The play follows Gareth Southgate through his hardships,
53:59exploring themes such as identity and leadership.
54:03Beginning at a low point for the team, following years of disappointment,
54:07Southgate takes over as manager,
54:08knowing he must face the past and find a new way forward.
54:12Play does chart his entire tenure as England manager from taking over in 2016
54:16up until 2024 when he left the post and Thomas Tuchel took over.
54:23So within that eight years, managing the England men's team for over 100 games,
54:28there's obviously huge ups and downs and moments of confidence,
54:35moments where that confidence is knocked or there's a lot of self-doubt.
54:40So really it's sort of the whole journey which is challenging,
54:46but equally it's because it's such a great journey that makes it so rewarding to play.
54:52David also spoke about how he tackled the role of somebody so prominent in the public eye.
54:57The starting point is always the script and what I always go back to as well.
55:03But obviously with a character, you know, as written in the page,
55:06when it is based on someone who's in the public eye and is very well known,
55:11there's a lot of footage of him.
55:13So, you know, I was able to watch a lot of Gareth Southgate.
55:18As the match begins and the spotlight shines,
55:21Dear England tells the story of how belief, honesty and a new kind of leadership
55:26can bring a team together.
55:28Maisie Walker for KMTV, Canterbury.
55:31Our reporter Maisie Walker joins me now.
55:33Maisie, when can people actually go and see the play?
55:35Well, the play has already started and it continues in the Marlowe Theatre
55:40until Saturday the 18th of October.
55:43Brilliant.
55:44And very briefly, how was it to interview Gareth Southgate?
55:47Oh, he was amazing.
55:49No, the actor is truly phenomenal.
55:52Brilliant.
55:53Well, thank you so much for bringing us that amazing.
55:56I'm sure people will be very interested to see the play.
55:59Well, it looks like you've been watching Kent Tonight live here on KMTV.
56:03Did I say it looks like you've been watching?
56:04Because you definitely have been watching Kent Tonight live here on KMTV.
56:08And as always, there's, of course, more news made just for Kent throughout the evening.
56:12And don't forget, you can always keep up to date with the latest news across your county
56:15by logging on to our website.
56:17That's kmtv.co.uk.
56:19You can check out all of our special programmes, including Invicta Sports,
56:24based in Kent and Kent Film Club.
56:26How could I forget?
56:27And if you have a story that you think we should be covering,
56:28please don't hesitate to get in touch.
56:31Well, we'll see you very soon.
56:33Goodbye.
56:33Goodbye.
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