Open invitation: get in touch and get involved
We’re interested in working with people and ideas that work for our local community that are inclusive, realistic and based on sound experience of making thing happen.
In due course we hope to set up a steering group and we would really like to hear from anyone interested in getting involved.
What is FPP seeking to do?
As a reminder, FPP is looking to do three things;
- Community and political journalism: information and comment on key local issues
- Political education: supporting informed democratic participation
- Political activism: supporting and endorsing candidates with the capability to deliver positive change
The focus on activism could lead us towards a sort of TripAdvisor set of assessments of candidates standing for office – as well as the possibility of fielding candidates in our own right, under a shared platform or agenda.
It is unlikely that we’ll be directly involved in the forthcoming May Local Elections – but we’ll be working hard to make sure we contribute to the political debate – expecting candidates to show they are clearly focused on local issues, clear on their plans and setting out a real choice for change.
Who is involved at the moment?
The FPP team is currently not formalised or finalised. At this stage, it is simply a platform reflecting conversations with people from different backgrounds and surprisingly varying political perspectives. What we have in common is a passion for change and an honest recognition that change needs careful planning and good management.
Our contacts and contributors to the ideas on this website includes key activists in the local Labour Party; Cooperative Party members; one or two well-established members of the Conservative Party, friends in the Shepway Green party, contacts in the Folkestone and Hythe LibDem party and a scattering of people who feel ‘politically homeless’.
We’re not interested in political tribalism or extremism, but we’re very interested in pragmatism and a positive future.
For obvious reasons in the run-up to local elections, some of our supporters are prospective candidates and are reserving their current position and political allegiances: not a problem, as we are creating a platform with shared principles.
Unlike some of the national mainstream parties, we are neither barred from collaboration nor restricted in association.
What sort of background do you have?
Our current facilitator is Jon O’Connor – effectively acting as coordinator and editor to present developing ideas and make connections.
Jon’s background includes considerable experience in community partnership and community action:
- 45 years in the education service including leading the national Coop Schools network of 800 schools
- key roles in major community regeneration projects in Hertfordshire and Essex
- formerly Chair of Folkestone and Hythe Labour Party and currently Chair of East Kent Coop Party.
- trustee with Sunflower House and Folkestone Performing Arts Centre
- facilitator of AFRA – Alliance of Folkestone Residents Assocations
