Emma Wakefield The Politics Show South East

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Kent Police wishes to be a stand-alone force

Kent Police are vigorously defending their right to remain a stand alone force in the face of pressures from the Home Office to merge.

Sussex Police are proposing to remain independent but work as a federation with neighbouring forces to save money on administration, personnel and big operations.

Both are awaiting their call to Charles Clarke's office to defend their proposals.

But how does all this fit with Labour's latest "Big Idea" to devolve more power to local communities?

To debate this are:

• Michael Fallon MP, who believes that Kent should remain independent
• Sussex Police Federation Chairman Brian Stockham who acknowledges the need for change but believes in a federal system
• Rick Naylor of The Superintendents' Association, who believes that the regionalisation of Forces does not go far enough

Follow the leader

As the Liberal leadership election draws to a close we meet up with the three candidates at one of their last hustings in Kent.

Who will be the new face of the Liberal Democrats and what will they do for the people of the South East?

Paper review

We take a look at the political news around the region.

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The Politics Show South East

Join Paul Siegert on the Politics Show on Sunday 05 March 2006 at Noon on BBC One.

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