Image: From left to right, Deputy Leader of Canterbury City Council, Cllr Rachel Carnac, Maya Amangeldiyeva owner of Maya’s Free Shop – Herne Bay, North Thanet MP Sir Roger Gale. Standing in front of bags of aid packed for the victims of the Turkey and Syria earthquakes. Courtesy of Cllr Carnac.

Rachel Carnac is the ward councillor for Culver, in East Herne Bay, and the Deputy leader of Canterbury City Council.

Taking part in the local council elections, she has also found time to send off bags of aid to the victims in Turkey and Syria –– devasted by earthquakes. Along with Maya Amangeldiyeva of Maya’s Free Shop in Herne Bay, where you are encouraged to stock up on items you need for free.

A former journalist in the commodities and financial market, she also has a day job in the metals industry and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA), joining notables such as Benjamin Franklin. 

There is a belief we are all constantly on the take with little brown envelopes

“I’ve been interested in politics all my life,” said Rachel.

“My real interest now is protecting village life, historic areas, and the countryside from too much development.

“This is a very rural area, some parts have more sheep than people.”

Campaigning in Reculver ward for the forthcoming local elections for Canterbury City Council. Thanks to @LouHarvey_Q and Izzy for the help. We got a lot done @NorthThanetCA @CanterburyCCA @cwowomen @Women2Win @CWOSouthEast pic.twitter.com/J9RVo3okGD

— Rachel Carnac FRSA (@RachelCarnac) March 11, 2023

Recently, she has also considered standing as an MP, after being approached, and may stand at the following elections.

At a recent council meeting councillors agreed to sign up for the Local Government Association’s (LGA) ––Debate Not Hate campaign, launched after research showed seven in 10 councillors across the UK are experiencing abuse and intimidation, in ‘increasing severity.’

“We are accosted on the street and accused of corruption and harassed online all the time,” she said. “There is a belief we are all constantly on the take with little brown envelopes.”

Cllr Carnac believes this undermines their role as a councillor, and has forced colleagues to canvass in pairs, especially in the wake of the murder of Jo Cox.

Last year Rachel also had her fingers badly damaged by a dog attack posting leaflets through a door in Sturry, which led to her needing surgery.

Local elections will take place on the 4 May 2023.