Every fortnight Kevin writes a "Kev's Column" for the Herald Express and you can read the latest edition (Published on Wednesday 28th February 2024) below:
TUFC
Torquay United entering administration was a sad way to finally dash any hopes of a bounce back up to the National League this season.
The last year has been a far from happy one, with fans protests about the performances on the pitch and the situation with the club itself. Plans for a new stadium appeared to have little foundation and often communication with fans was poor. Yet the priority now must be to look forward.
Torbay Council owns Plainmoor’s freehold, meaning it cannot be sold for other uses by the club’s administrators, plus the Torquay United Supporter’s Trust has been planning how to ensure fans would have a say in what comes next If the worst happened. I have regularly been meeting with them over recent years and will shortly do so again.
Whilst entering administration is a sad milestone, the club’s greatest asset cannot be taken away: The loyal fans who will have put up with so much over recent years and who deserve a future where the focus is on the pitch success, not off the pitch uncertainty.
Ukraine
Last week, I visited Ukraine as it marked 2 anniversaries, 10 years since Russia Annexed Crimea and 2 years since Putin launched an all-out attack.
Ukrainians are determined to defend their nation and expel the invading forces. They do not shy away from talking about the cost of this war, with many lives lost and changed, but then speak with hope about the future: Their children living in a free, democratic Ukraine able to prosper like its neighbours in Poland, not being divided up into a new Russian Empire.
At the heart of this war is not just a fight about Ukraine’s future, but ours. Over the weekend David Cameron reminded the United Nations of his prediction in 2008 that after Russia seized parts of Georgia “Putin would be back for more”, a prediction he repeated when the Crimea was seized.
It is why we must support Ukraine now. If Putin wins in Ukraine he will be back for more, and the cost in money and lives will be much higher.
Speaker
The SNP submitted a House of Commons motion reflecting their view on the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
They had the right to expect it would be debated and voted on, yet this was denied by the actions of the Speaker at the request of the Labour Party.
I have not joined those calling for the Speaker to go, he made a mistake and has acknowledged this. The focus should instead be on the conduct of the man who pressurised the Speaker into making this mistake: Keir Starmer.
Surgery Times
My next surgeries are on: Saturday 2nd March 10am till 12Noon at St Martin's Church, Barton Hill Road, Torquay, TQ2 8JA and Friday 8th March 11am till 1pm at Torquay Library, Lymington Road, Torquay, TQ1 3DT.
For an appointment you can either email me at kevin@kevinjfoster.com or leave a message on 01803 214989, surgeries are for personal queries from residents they would like me to help them with. There are also drop-in sessions at my office 5-7 East St, Torquay, TQ2 5SD between 10am & 1pm Monday to Friday where a member of my team will be available to help with any queries.