The Leader of Kent County Council (KCC), Roger Gough, has led the tributes to Her Majesty the Queen from Members of the authority saying:
“Along with so many people across Kent and the country, I am deeply saddened at the death of Her Majesty the Queen. I am sure that the Royal Family are in all our thoughts and prayers; above all, our new monarch, King Charles III as he both mourns his mother and takes on the huge responsibility of serving our country.
“Her Majesty has been a part of all our lives. A constant, reassuring presence in both good and troubled times. Throughout her 70- year reign she has so admirably adapted and modernised the monarchy and overseen a country that has changed profoundly. What has not changed has been her presence and her ethos of service.
“Her scrupulous adherence to the role of a politically neutral, constitutional monarch has underwritten our democracy. Yet she could also make history, as in her visit to Ireland in 2011, and speak for all of us, as she did at the height of the pandemic.
“Her Majesty the Queen was much loved and admired here in Kent, across the United Kingdom and the wider Commonwealth. Her dedication to the service of the country was, and will continue to be, an example to us all.”
Dr Lauren Sullivan, Leader of the Labour Group at KCC said:
“On behalf of the Opposition and the Labour Group at Kent County Council we join with County Councillor colleagues and officers to offer our heartfelt condolences on the passing of Her Majesty the Queen. We pay tribute to her long and dedicated public service. Thank you, Ma’am.
“In our grief, and despite this sad time, we hope for the best for our new King and Queen Consort as they take on the heavy duty of the Crown on behalf of the whole United Kingdom. “
Antony Hook, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group at Kent County Council said:
“Like everyone in Kent and further afield, I am very saddened by the news about Her Majesty the Queen. Her long, honourable service as our Head of State has provided stability and continuity in good times and bad.
“Our thoughts are with the Queen’s whole family. May we all live up to the best ideals of service that the Queen represented.”
On behalf of the Greens and Independents Group Cllr Paul Stepto said:
“I extend our deepest sympathies to King Charles and the Royal Family on the sad news of the death of The Queen.
The Queen’s 70 years’ service, characterised by her sense of duty, her energy and discretion earned her a reputation throughout the world as a kind, wise and principled head of state.
Our thoughts are with her family at this difficult time.”
ENDS