Business Blog - press conferences
Comments |
A recent press conference with KCC leader Paul Carter and
leading architect Sir Terry Farrell was not without humour.
They launched Unlocking Kent’s Potential and 21st Century Kent,
two documents stuffed with wish-lists and realities.
The concept of taking more or less the same people and the same
message to four locations - St Pancras, Ebbsfleet, Ashford
and Folkestone - varied only by the appearance of local council
worthies and business people - must have been wearing for the main
players, not to mention any media folk who attended all four
venues.
The amount of coverage generated presumably justified the
expense and time, although Cllr Carter might have been less than
happy at the seizing of the third Thames crossing as the headline
story. Cllr Mike Snelling, Gravesham council leader, upset the
smooth PR operation by pledging his opposition to Carter’s
preference for a route through his council area. The spat by party
members of similar hue injected welcome frisson into the
proceedings at Ebbsfleet.
Meanwhile, at St Pancras - after fried egg butties - Jonathan
Shaw, MP for Chatham and Aylesford, and Minister for the South
East, had barely a moment to read either report before having to
say something sensible about them.
He raised a
laugh at the start by admitting he may have been confused with
Robin Cooper, Medway council’s head of development
and environment. Why? Well, hirsute on top, they are
not!
Another good Shavian moment was when he quipped about the
imminent departure of Peter Gilroy, the controversially-remunerated
KCC chief executive. Mr Shaw, who faces his electorate later in the
year, possibly on May 6, highlighted the contrast in their
respective situations: “Peter’s leaving and I’m hoping not to!” he
said.
Monday, March 01 2010
The KM Group does not moderate comments.
Please click here for our house rules.