The immediate photo is from our meeting with the Kurdish and free peoples General of Syria, next to him a very important woman that actually served as an inspiration to me when we met.
A week later a peace deal is brokered .... some idiot in a Union jack waistcoat claiming to be concerned caused a few major thoughts in a few places ..... and prompted some action!
Before and after my
time in County Hall on Thursday, I took the opportunity to make some
spontaneous and casual calls to organisations doing incredible work in our
communities. It is always inspiring to see the passion and dedication that
fuels these initiatives - and today was no exception!
Community Cafés and
Larders are thriving in Headcorn and Staplehurst, bringing people together and
providing essential support where it’s needed most. With outstanding
individuals like Martyn in Headcorn and Sonia in Staplehurst and many others at
the helm, these projects are making a tangible difference. I decided to give
them a call – and the response was heartwarming. They appreciated the visit,
and there was a genuine sense of camaraderie. It was humbling to see their
enthusiasm and to shake the hands of those who work tirelessly for the benefit
of others.
Then, after spending
hours in County Hall, I made another impromptu visit – this time to St John’s
Ambulance in Maidstone. Their reaction was equally uplifting. They stopped
their activities just to take a few photos and share their excitement. It is a
testament to the sense of community and recognition that these organisations
deserve.
As I prepare for my
upcoming Mayoralty, I want to make one thing clear: this role is not about me.
It is about celebrating the people and communities that make our Borough a
better place. My mission is to champion these groups, acknowledge their
efforts, and shine a spotlight on their significance.
Furthermore, I am
deeply committed to supporting rural matters. Our countryside, our villages,
and our rural communities play a vital role in our Borough’s identity and
well-being. I will ensure that these voices are heard, their challenges
addressed, and their contributions recognised.
Saturday 8th
March was also an important occasion – International Women’s Day. A day to
recognise the achievements, resilience, and contributions of women in our
communities and beyond. So many women play crucial roles in the initiatives I
visited yesterday, and I am grateful for their dedication and hard work in
making a difference.
On another note, and
very dependent on women, I am so pleased that, just over a week after returning
from Syria, progress is being made. A Kurdish-led militia alliance that
controls north-eastern Syria has signed a deal to integrate all military and
civilian institutions into the Syrian state. It was actually signed by the
General that I met! But his main support in the military work is a woman. I spent
some time with her whilst we were in the heavily protected “bunker” and "holed up" when we
met. She was an inspiration for many. However,
like all big conflict deals and the aftermath of a long, bitter civil war,
there is still much more to do, but every step forward matters. I can’t wait to
return to see how the progress continues to unfold.
Sadly my week
finished on a very sorry note. I attended the post funeral memorial service of
former Ashford Borough Council Member Mick Burgess who passed away quite
suddenly. I knew him for over 20 years firstly as a member of River Stour and
Marshes Water Boards and then worked with him at Action for Communities for
Rural Kent/ACRK. We were both staunch Ruralists, layman experts on streams, ditches/dykes,
flooding, surface water and table water. We had other common interests too and
he was a true gent. The church in Wittersham was packed and at the refreshments
afterwards I met with many I knew from ARCK days and former Ashford MP and
Deputy PM Damian Green. The Mayor
of Ashford naturally gave me permission to wear my Deputy Mayor Badge &seal.
The week was a
reminder of the power of connection, appreciation, and recognition. As I move
forward, I remain dedicated to applauding those who work for the greater good
and to fostering a spirit of unity and support throughout the Borough of
Maidstone and the wider County.
My motivations for going to Iraq and Syria were many, I have always felt the whole Middle East had a number of issues that were poorly understood and often incorrectly perceived. Frankly I knew untruths and lies prevailed in some matters and a complete lack of insight plus corruptions of reality were being used to influence opinions and emotions. I wanted to see for myself. I also wanted to see if I could offer an insight based on my experiences in Economic regeneration and democracy. The League of Kurdistan nations asked for my help and my "grasp it and can do" attitude. Significant players in Labour Party circles offered me great respect and friendship to join them.
I am a "people person" and keen to support HOPE and aspiration and injustice for people and regions.
If it sounds snobbish and conceited I am sorry, but I do have certain knowledge and experience that can help others. I should use that ...to their and others benefit.
So I get annoyed when I return from a trip like this and get accused of "NOT being a proper Conservative". Mainly by NON Tories and general public. Having humanitarian views and a sense of repairing the wrongs or in this particular case wanting proportionate democracy and rights for women and a care for children seems like what I SHOULD and WANT to believe in...as a human being. I just happen to be a Tory! Because mainly of economic, law and order, and defence motives.
Are all 60plus Male Anglo Saxons ......with a desire to wear a tie or a decent suit in public....supposed to fit a stereo type .... that fits a certain pigeon hole?
I care...and I will try. I don't think that should be a sin. I actually think I am "PROPER TORY" and I make no apology for it!
On the 19th February 2025 Martin Round was confirmed as the next Mayor of the Borough of Maidstone at a Council Meeting in the Town Hall. His inauguration will be on the 17th May.
Within 24 hours of that moment he
went to the Foreign Office to tie-up appropriate briefings from the Foreign
Office to visit the Middle East.
He then departed for a fact-finding
private mission to Kurdistan together with Cllr Karen Constantine of Kent
County Council and Ihsan Qadir of the League of Kurdistan Regions and the
former President of the TUC Roger Lyons, plus other selected members of British
Kurdish community.
This was a privately funded
initiative to hopefully develop a better understanding of what the region has
gone through in recent years and to see how democracy works and the economy can
trade on a wider scale.
Initially the fact finding
started in Erbil in Iraq, where the Kurdistan Presidency made optimum
opportunity to greet the delegates and support a journey to Rojava in Northern
Syria. The delegates met many representations by different groups in Erbil and then
Rojava.
“We firstly went to establish
bonds of friendship with a region that has seen considerable turmoil and
hardship. I personally wanted to meet local government
regions to understand their structures and democracy, whilst hoping to find
every and any opportunity for economic development and especially technology
transfer and knowledge exchange where ideas and trade can be optimised. But it
proved to be too early in many respects. They have had a very difficult time
and it continues. The Rojava region on the Northern Syria/Turkey border still
experienced daily skirmishes. Sadly the war continues”.
What we learnt:
Syria has new leadership, it is
not communicating or engaging with its entire geographic or cultural
population. This was a clear message from all political and religious groups,
plus the businesses, the Unions and the community groups such as a very strong
womens movement.
Syrians live in fear and mistrust
of many. They know why many have fled to other parts of the world. They want
them back. There are also people locked up “somewhere”, where are they?
Services, utilities,
infrastructure in all aspects are in a poor state.
The area is ignored,
disenfranchised and isolated.
Children are on the breadline,
living from hand to mouth.
Trade links are fractured, with
NO BRIDGE to Iraq, daily skirmishes to Turkey and a “wall of ignorance” to the
south.
The delegation stayed in protected grounds that had only cold dripping water and generator serviced electricity. It was MINUS 9 at night.
Those grounds were circled by “Russian” helicopters from Turkey almost on
arrival. Red Cross marked vehicles carried
military personnel with guns around us when we carried out some field visits
such as the derelict Airfield.
Our driver and escorts at one
point had to drive at excess speed over cratered roads to protect us from
attack.
They met people that were
charming but felt there was mistrust in some.
As a delegation of one
Conservative in amongst a Labour led group they became friends and where a
“double act” emerged and bonded so very
well.
What Martin will do:
In his Mayoral year, he will set
up a Charity to raise funds and deliver projects to the women & children of
Rojava. Small projects that will make a difference such as an exchange of people
and skills. He will also raise awareness
of issues in events and speeches.
He will visit the Foreign Office
and lobby MPs and other people, organisations and media.
He intends to revisit Kurdistan again soon.
POST SCRIPT This actually says very little in the big picture of things, but we have to be careful what we say and how we say it. Work continues and issues need to be addressed. The publicity in Iran, Iraq and beyond have led to many more press and media interests and MINIMAL local interest!
Whilst I'm back its been "all on" since the return. I will do a post about the visit and subsequent activity soon, or my PA will. My Facebook pages give you info in the meantime. They were the only way I could connect!
I've just had a meeting to start the official planning of the mayoralty. More on that as we go along!
But as I continue to be really tired from the trip to Syria and Iraq-it was MINUS 9 most of the time-and our sleeping and eating and drinking were totally out of sync, plus it WAS stressful, I am really looking forward to officially opening a restored chapel at Maidstone's cemetery on Wednesday.
Its not just because its a Council project and a lovely building, its because I was Chair of the Committee that started the project and as Cabinet member I followed it through. I can see the fruition of a project.
It pleases me more because the team behind it are terrific.
The speech will be easy and from the head, the heart and with great pride.
