KentOnline’s Blue Badge Battle campaign has been raised in parliament, as another top politician pledges her support.

It comes only days after Shadow Transport Secretary Gareth Bacon backed the initiative following a meeting at Westminster with Kent MPs, Helen Grant (Con) and Tristan Osborne (Lab), who were joined by cancer patient Sandy Burr, and Bev Evans, a mum with a life-changing injury.

Yesterday (May 15) during business questions in the House of Commons, Mr Osborne spoke of the cross-party mission, saying: “The modernisation and introduction of the Blue Badge programme was a lasting legacy of the last Labour government.

“Can the leader of the House confirm some time in the parliamentary timetable to discuss a cross-party campaign to support the success of this scheme and to look at the eligibility to include time-limited conditions?”

Commons’ leader Lucy Powell responded: “I’m well aware of the great campaigning that he and other Kent MPs and his local newspaper are doing which is vital to those who receive them.

“I’m sure it would get wide support if you wanted a further debate on these important matters.”

Furthermore, transport committee chair Ruth Cadbury (Lab) has also agreed to support the Blue Badge Battle to get a discretionary scheme established with councils across the UK.

The campaign already has the support of five Kent MPs, the others being Mike Martin (Lib Dem), Sojan Joseph (Lab) and Lauren Sullivan (Lab).

Current legislation and Department for Transport (DfT) guidance state an applicant must have an “enduring and substantial disability” to be considered for a Blue Badge. This is defined as a condition likely to last for three years.

Over the past few months, KentOnline has highlighted the plight of cancer patients Martin White and Sandy Burr, who were denied badges because KCC said it was unable to determine their conditions would endure for that time period.

These refusals, while issued by the local authority, are administered in line with DfT guidance which has a strict criteria focused on mobility, which applicants have to meet.

KentOnline launched the campaign on March 26 calling for changes to the eligibility criteria and three-year-validity rule.

Now, we will be seeking the backing of all Kent MPs, with plans to compose a joint letter to KCC indicating they have power to introduce a policy that would create a temporary pass provision for those with time-limited conditions.

The cross-party campaign continues to be united by the determination to ensure the Blue Badge system is not letting certain people down.

If you have been affected by this issue and want to support our Blue Badge Battle - please email news@thekmgroup.co.uk