Welcome to the Kent Politics Podcast!

Join us for an insightful discussion on the latest political developments in Kent, featuring local democracy reporter Dan Essen and Medway Council enthusiast Robert Body. This episode dives deep into upcoming elections, council dynamics, and more.

• Tunbridge Wells Elections: Discover why this is the last election under the current model and how boundary changes have influenced recent outcomes.
• Political Shifts: Explore Tunbridge Wells' transition from a Conservative stronghold to Liberal Democrat control.

• Medway's Innovation Park: Unpack ongoing plans for business investment in Medway and potential future developments.

• Reflecting on one year since Reform UK's significant victory at Kent County Council elections.

• Hear firsthand accounts from Thomas Mallon (Reform UK) and Rob Yates (Green Party), who won pivotal by-elections at Kent County Council. They share campaign strategies, challenges faced, and their vision moving forward.

1. Thomas Mallon - First elected county councillor for Reform UK discussing his strategic approach during campaigns.
2. Rob Yates - Green Party’s first councillor at county hall sharing insights on engaging voters effectively through community involvement.

• The impact of national politics on local elections.
• Debating immigration policies between Reform UK's hard stance versus Green Party's compassionate approach.

The podcast concludes with reflections on whether it's time to consider proportional representation over first-past-the-post voting systems amidst changing political landscapes in the UK.

Thanks for listening to the Kent Politics Podcast - don't forget to check out stories throughout the week on the politics pages of KentOnline, and you can watch the Kent Politics Show on KMTV every Friday at 5pm or on demand at www.kmtv.co.uk

Don't forget to look out for more episodes of the Kent Politics Podcast, along with other shows at kmfm.co.uk or wherever you get your podcasts

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Host: Nicky White, Senior News Editor with KM Media Group
Podcast Episode Date: 24.04.26

Join us for a comprehensive roundup of the latest political happenings in Kent. This episode delves into significant local elections, controversial council decisions, and ongoing community debates.

Green Party's Victory in Cliftonville

• Rob Yates triumphs over Reform UK's Mark Ratigan by 301 votes.
• The Green Party's focus on empathy and unity resonated with voters disillusioned by divisive politics.
• Discussion on tactical voting trends favouring Greens amidst dissatisfaction with current governance.

School Street Scheme Controversy

• Michelle Oliver challenges Medway Council over unclear signage leading to fines.
• Despite complaints, the council maintains confidence in its traffic management strategy.
• Conservative calls for an extensive review following high fine numbers reported through FOI requests.

Cultural Strategy Adoption in Canterbury

• Upcoming vote on new guidelines affecting arts and cultural sectors within the district.
• Concerns raised about neglect of volunteer-run museums outside historic city centres like Whitstable and Herne Bay.

South East Water Leadership Scrutiny

• CEO David Hinton waives his bonus after widespread water supply issues but faces criticism from Tunbridge Wells MP Mike Martin for inadequate crisis management.
• Ongoing debate around accountability as residents face repeated outages due to preventable infrastructure failures.

Upcoming Elections & Political Landscape Shifts

• Analysis of potential shifts towards Green or Reform dominance ahead of future elections scheduled for 2027.

Thanks for listening to the Kent Politics Podcast - don't forget to check out stories throughout the week on the politics pages of KentOnline, and you can watch the Kent Politics Show on KMTV every Friday at 5pm or on demand at www.kmtv.co.uk

Don't forget to look out for more episodes of the Kent Politics Podcast, along with other shows at kmfm.co.uk or wherever you get your podcasts

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Host: Nicky White, Senior News Editor with KM Media Group
Podcast Episode Date: 16.04.26

Join us for a comprehensive roundup of the latest political happenings in Kent. This episode delves into significant local elections, controversial council decisions, and ongoing community debates.

Green Party's Victory in Cliftonville

• Rob Yates triumphs over Reform UK's Marc Rattigan by 301 votes.
• The Green Party's focus on empathy and unity resonated with voters disillusioned by divisive politics.
• Discussion on tactical voting trends favouring Greens amidst dissatisfaction with current governance.

School Street Scheme Controversy

• Michelle Oliver challenges Medway Council over unclear signage leading to fines.
• Despite complaints, the council maintains confidence in its traffic management strategy.
• Conservative calls for an extensive review following high fine numbers reported through FOI requests.

Cultural Strategy Adoption in Canterbury

• Upcoming vote on new guidelines affecting arts and cultural sectors within the district.
• Concerns raised about neglect of volunteer-run museums outside historic city centres like Whitstable and Herne Bay.

South East Water Leadership Scrutiny

• CEO David Hinton waives his bonus after widespread water supply issues but faces criticism from Tunbridge Wells MP Mike Martin for inadequate crisis management.
• Ongoing debate around accountability as residents face repeated outages due to preventable infrastructure failures.

Upcoming Elections & Political Landscape Shifts

• Analysis of potential shifts towards Green or Reform dominance ahead of future elections scheduled for 2027.

Thanks for listening to the Kent Politics Podcast - don't forget to check out stories throughout the week on the politics pages of KentOnline, and you can watch the Kent Politics Show on KMTV every Friday at 5pm or on demand at www.kmtv.co.uk

Don't forget to look out for more episodes of the Kent Politics Podcast, along with other shows at kmfm.co.uk or wherever you get your podcasts

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to the latest episode of The Kent Politics Podcast, where we delve into pressing local issues and political developments across Kent. Hosted by Nicky White, Senior News Editor at KM Media Group, this episode covers a range of intriguing topics.

• Former councillor Sean Holden raises concerns about a new strain of RHD2 virus affecting wild rabbits in rural Kent.
• The disease is highly fatal, with a mortality rate of 90%, posing significant risks to both wild and domestic rabbit populations.
• Conservationists and local naturalists discuss potential ecological impacts while urging caution before attributing declines solely to the virus.

• Helen Grant MP addresses ongoing challenges related to housing development pressures in her constituency.
• Advocates for prioritising brownfield land and infrastructure-led development to maintain quality of life without encroaching on green spaces or farmland.
• Calls for an urgent review of housing targets and greater involvement from water companies in planning processes.

• Investigation reveals Medway Council holds £20 million from developers intended for community infrastructure but underutilised, particularly funds earmarked for health improvements.
• Concerns raised over limited spending on healthcare projects despite available funds; focus has been largely on self-help health pods since 2019.

Thanks for listening to the Kent Politics Podcast - don't forget to check out stories throughout the week on the politics pages of KentOnline, and you can watch the Kent Politics Show on KMTV every Friday at 5pm or on demand at www.kmtv.co.uk

Don't forget to look out for more episodes of the Kent Politics Podcast, along with other shows at kmfm.co.uk or wherever you get your podcasts

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to the latest episode of The Kent Politics Podcast. Join Nikki White, Senior News Editor with KM Media Group, as we delve into recent political developments across Kent.

• Labour's plans bring £20 million government funding for neighbourhood development.
• Additional funds aimed at enhancing children's playgrounds.

• A report by Kent County Council reveals alarming increases in fly tipping incidents over the past decade.
• Maidstone saw reports rise from 800 (2015) to over 2,800 (2025).
• Challenges include limited enforcement powers and financial burdens on private landowners.

• A young boy's struggle for suitable schooling due to complex needs highlights systemic issues within Medway Council's educational provisions.

• Swale Council debates housing concentration between Faversham and Sittingbourne/Sheppey.
• Decision made to distribute housing allocations more evenly across borough sites.

• The UK government's "Pride In Place" scheme allocates significant investment (£60 million total) for community improvements across three parts of Medway: Luton, Reed Common, and Twiddle.

Have a question or topic suggestion? Email us at kentpoliticspodcast@thekmgroup.co.uk.

Stay informed:

• Sign up for our newsletter at kentonline.co.uk/newsletters
• Tune into KMTV’s politics show every Friday at 5pm or watch on demand at KMTV.co.uk

Thanks for listening to the Kent Politics Podcast - don't forget to check out stories throughout the week on the politics pages of KentOnline, and you can watch the Kent Politics Show on KMTV every Friday at 5pm or on demand at www.kmtv.co.uk

Don't forget to look out for more episodes of the Kent Politics Podcast, along with other shows at kmfm.co.uk or wherever you get your podcasts

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THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST

Episode 109 - 109: Council Walkout, Security Measures in Swale & a heated debate in the Studio

Join us this week on the Kent Politics Podcast as we delve into a series of heated discussions and local political controversies. Hosted by Rob, with insights from Simon and Dan, this episode unpacks the latest happenings in Medway, Swale, and beyond.

• A dramatic walkout occurred at a council meeting over a motion to declare an illegal migration emergency.
• Reform UK faced opposition due to concerns about electoral advantages related to an upcoming by-election.
• The walkout stole headlines but left questions about its long-term impact on local politics.

• Liberal Democrat Councillor Hannah Perkin proposed declaring Swale a sanctuary for immigrants.
• This symbolic gesture sparked protests causing damage worth over £10,000 during council meetings.
• Discussions are ongoing regarding increased security measures at future meetings.

• Evaluation of the controversial scheme aimed at reducing traffic near schools shows mixed results.
• While some parents report safer streets and more children walking to school, critics question the low response rate from surveys used in evaluations.

• Potholes remain one of Medway’s most visible infrastructure problems despite budget constraints limiting repairs.

Councillors Alex Paterson (Labour) and Andrew Lawrence (Conservative) join us for spirited debates covering financial strategies, road safety initiatives like School Streets, and broader implications for local governance amidst evolving party dynamics in Kent.

The episode offers listeners an inside look into how political manoeuvres play out within councils while tackling everyday issues that matter locally such as pothole repairs versus larger national topics like immigration policy declarations.

Stay informed with all things politics across Kent by visiting our website or catching up on past episodes via KMTV every Friday at 5pm!

For feedback or topic suggestions email us at kentpoliticspodcast@thekmgroup.co.uk

Thanks for listening to the Kent Politics Podcast - don't forget to check out stories throughout the week on the politics pages of KentOnline, and you can watch the Kent Politics Show on KMTV every Friday at 5pm or on demand at www.kmtv.co.uk

Don't forget to look out for more episodes of the Kent Politics Podcast, along with other shows at kmfm.co.uk or wherever you get your podcasts

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST

Episode 108 - Kent's Meningitis outbreak, the impact of the Iran War on local councils and ambitious housing plans.

In this episode of the Kent Politics Podcast, Daniel Essen delves into pressing issues affecting East Kent. From a meningitis outbreak to energy concerns amidst international tensions, and ambitious housing plans—this episode covers it all.

Meningitis Outbreak:

• A serious meningitis outbreak has hit Canterbury and surrounding areas.
• The illness has tragically claimed two young lives—a university student and a Year 13 pupil.
• UK Health Security Agency's response includes vaccinations and antibiotics distribution at the University of Kent.

International Tensions Impact on Local Councils:

• Rising concerns over the American-Israeli conflict with Iran impacting local economics.
• Potential increase in oil prices could inflate council expenses significantly.
• Calls for transparency from Reform UK Cabinet on handling financial challenges due to rising costs.

Healthcare Leadership Changes:

• Unexpected resignation of Jonathan Wade as CEO of Dartford & Gravesham NHS Foundation Trust.
• Medway Hospital faces its fifth leadership change since 2020 amid ongoing healthcare challenges.

Housing Development Plans:

• Canterbury City Council advances their local plan proposing 23,000 new homes by 2043.
• Controversial debates around previous zoning systems; current focus is meeting government targets while managing speculative developments.

• Discussions highlight how local politics are intertwined with national events like international conflicts affecting energy pricing strategies.
• Emphasis on public health measures following outbreaks showcases responsive governance efforts.

• Interested listeners can contribute topics or questions via email or voice notes to Kent Politics podcast.

• Visit Kent Online for continuous updates on political news across Kent.
• Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for detailed briefings straight to your inbox!

Catch up with KMTV’s politics show every Friday at 5pm!

Thanks for listening to the Kent Politics Podcast - don't forget to check out stories throughout the week on the politics pages of KentOnline, and you can watch the Kent Politics Show on KMTV every Friday at 5pm or on demand at www.kmtv.co.uk

Don't forget to look out for more episodes of the Kent Politics Podcast, along with other shows at kmfm.co.uk or wherever you get your podcasts

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THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST

Episode 107 - MP outside interests, KCC Councillor joins the Conservative Party, Medway Aid Fund & MP asks to report Graffiti

On this week's episode:

Graffiti Concerns in Gillingham: MP Naushabah Khan addresses the rise of tagging and swearing graffiti, urging residents to report incidents to tackle antisocial behaviour.

Tom Tugendhat's Outside Interests: A deep dive into Tunbridge MP Tom Tugendhat's extensive outside interests, highlighting his numerous trips abroad and side jobs.

Political Shifts at KCC: Ashford representative Bill Barrett rejoins the Conservatives after leaving Reform UK. His move reflects ongoing political shifts within Kent County Council.

Cliftonville By-Election Preview: Upcoming by-election sees major parties vying for a key seat with significant campaign efforts from notable political figures.

Medway Council Cost of Living Support Initiatives: New schemes announced using £4.6 million to support low-income households through education and community supermarkets.

MP Naushabah Khan emphasises the need for community action against unsightly graffiti damaging local aesthetics. She advocates reporting incidents to help authorities address this growing problem effectively.

Local democracy reporter Dan Essen discusses Tom Tugendhat’s declared interests amounting to nearly £500,000 since 2025, including roles with Solnox and a Dubai-based think tank. Despite repeated contact attempts, no comment was received from Mr. Tugendhat regarding these commitments' impact on his parliamentary duties.

Ashford Councillor Bill Barrett transitions back to the Conservative Party amid shifting allegiances within KCC following last year's Reform UK victory. The change is part of broader movements affecting council dynamics as various groups vie for influence ahead of upcoming elections.

The Cliftonville by-election promises intense competition among candidates from Reform UK, Labour, Green Party, and Conservatives—all bringing heavyweight supporters into Thanet early on in their campaigns.

Medway Council introduces new funding initiatives aimed at enhancing financial resilience among vulnerable residents through adult education programs while also preparing innovative solutions like a community supermarket model transitioning away from reliance on food banks.

Have thoughts or questions about local politics? Email us your comments or send voice notes at kentpoliticspodcast@kmgroup.co.uk!

Thanks for listening to the Kent Politics Podcast - don't forget to check out stories throughout the week on the politics pages of KentOnline, and you can watch the Kent Politics Show on KMTV every Friday at 5pm or on demand at www.kmtv.co.uk

Don't forget to look out for more episodes of the Kent Politics Podcast, along with other shows at kmfm.co.uk or wherever you get your podcasts

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.