KENT MP WARNS THAT THE COUNTY MAY LOSE OUT BECAUSE OF THE WAY THAT THE OLYMPICS IS STRUCTURED

Hugh Robertson has today warned that Kent risks losing out in the race to secure the benefits of hosting the Olympics because of the structure under which the Games are being organised.

Hugh's warning comes as he prepared to attend a meeting at the County Showground on Friday morning to discuss a proposed new equestrian facility which could be used as an Olympic training camp.

Kent’s efforts to secure a part of the Olympics are channelled through the Nations and Regions Committee. As the name suggests, this divides England up into regions, placing Kent into the South East. As a result, Kent competes on the same basis as all the other counties in the region including Berkshire and Oxfordshire which are, clearly, very different counties to Kent and are a long way, geographically, from the Games.

Hugh Robertson said: “Kent County Council has done everything possible to lobby for Kent to get a share of the Olympic Spoils. They launched an Olympic website as soon as the bid was won and have worked tirelessly to bring the benefits of the Games to Kent.

“However, their good work is frustrated by the regional structure that the government has adopted. Kent and Essex should have been granted special status because of their geographical proximity to the the East London Games. It is a nonsense to equate Kent with Oxfordshire.

“Furthermore, the 2012 Roadshow, launched in Trafalgar Square last Thursday to take the Olympic message across England to 64 locations is not even calling in to Kent. It is vital that the government is persuaded to treat Kent as a special case before lasting damage is done.”