The Kent Politics Podcast

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST  Episode 49 - Money for Medway, Blue Bell Hell and a Piece of Yellow Paper with special guest Mike Martin MP   Welcome to the first Kent Politics Podcast of 2025! Dive into a year full of political developments with Simon Finley and his team as they explore local government issues in Kent. Key Topics Discussed: Local Government Changes: Angela Rayner's Devolution Revoluti...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST  Episode 48 -  Devolution, Revolution, and Special Guest Kevin McKenna MP  Is devolution the end of Kent's local councils as we know them? Dive into this week's gripping episode of the Kent Politics Podcast, where big changes are on the horizon. Join Simon and the team as they explore the potential dissolution of Kent County Council, Medway Council, and others in favour o...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST  Episode 47 - Winter Fuel Allowance, Housing Developments and what's wrong with the NHS plus Special guest Dr Julian Spinks  Welcome to the latest episode of the Kent Politics Podcast , your essential guide to understanding local and national political matters. This episode dives into pressing issues facing the NHS, housing developments in Kent, and community initiatives...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST  Episode 46 - Housing, Housing & the first possible Kent Mayor contender with special guest Cllr Thomas Mallon  Episode Highlights: Medway Council's Social Housing Review: Medway Council underwent a new inspection process post-Grenfell tragedy. Rated C2 by regulators; plans are underway for improvements. Key issues included outdated paperwork and non-compliance with decen...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST Episode 45 -  Dirty beaches, Reform UK does the double and former MP Kelly Tolhurst Join Simon and the team as they explore the political landscape of Kent, providing insights into both local issues and national debates. This episode covers a range of topics from school initiatives to electoral changes. Key Topics: School Streets Initiative in Medway Expansion Plans: Incr...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST Episode 44 - Farmer’s fury, the first Brexit domino, and Kent’s biggest solar farm, with special guest Polly Billington MP Welcome to the latest edition of the Kent Politics Podcast, your go-to source for insightful discussions on both local and national political matters. In this episode, we delve into significant events shaping Kent's political landscape, from historica...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST  Episode 43 - What new tax could mean for farmers, council at risk of bankruptcy and Special Guest Peter Carroll In this episode of the Kent Politics Podcast, our host Simon Finlay and the team dive into pressing political issues affecting both Kent and broader regions. Key Discussions: Medway Council Financial Crisis Gabriel Morris reports a projected £11.2 million overs...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST  Episode 42 - Schools going mixed, police misconduct, and the cost of special needs education, featuring special guest Cllr Mark Hood  In this episode, we discuss pivotal local issues like education reforms and police misconduct while also delving into broader political dynamics within the county. Key Segments: Local Government Insights: The importance of delivering servi...

  THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST Episode 41 - Docklands, trolleys Budget bombshells and a broken bridge, with special guest Ashford MP Sojan Joseph Welcome to the latest episode of the Kent Politics Podcast , your ultimate source for in-depth discussions on both local and national political matters. This week we explore significant developments impacting both Kent's and the UK's political landscape. Ke...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST Episode 40 - Levelling up, pothole perils and the cost of a name change, with special guest Cllr Sean Holden Dive into the intricate world of local politics with Simon Finlay and the team as they discuss key issues affecting Kent County Council and its political landscape. Key Segments: Council Challenges & Name Changes : Medway's KMPT rebrands to KMMH at a cost of £250k...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST Episode 39 -  Medieval Manor up for sale, Dover checks delayed again and special guest Cllr Antony Hook Dive into the Kent Politics Podcast and explore the intricacies of local governance, national affairs, and international relations. This episode unravels Medway Council's financial strategies, discusses delays in EU border systems impacting Dover, and highlights concern...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST Episode 38 - Obese children, Reform eyes KCC takeover and special guest Cllr Stanley Forecast Welcome to another engaging episode of the Kent Politics Podcast , where we delve into both local and national political landscapes with a friendly, insightful approach. This week’s discussion features conversations with key political figures and reporters covering the intricacie...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST Episode 37 - Rosie Duffield quits Labour, school place troubles and special guest Dartford MP Jim Dickson Key Discussion Points: 1. Accountability of MPs Examining the expectation for MPs to consult constituents post-election. Debate on triggering by-elections if significant changes occur. 2. Local Political Landscape Medway's School Place Shortage: Impact of NHS recruitm...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST  Episode 36 - Safer school streets, failing park and ride, and special guest Medway council’s Cllr Andrew Lawrence  Key Discussions: Local Government Reform Unitary System Proposal : Debate on moving to a county unitary system to eliminate districts and consolidate resources. Discussion includes potential cost savings from reducing CEO/COO/CFO positions. Medway School Str...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST  Episode 35 -  Care controversy in Medway, Shop stripped of licence after assault, is Reform trying to recruit Tory councillors and special guest, the Green Party's Rich Lehmann Episode Highlights  Introduction : Welcome to The Kent Politics Podcast, your go-to source for insightful discussions on local and national political matters. Medway’s Care Crisis : Robert Boddy r...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST Episode 34 - Disabled boy let down by council, controversial homes plan and A228 road woes. Special guest is Lib Dem councillor Richard Streatfeild Welcome to The Kent Politics Podcast, your go-to source for insightful discussions on local and national political matters. In this episode, Simon, Robert & Dan dive into the critical issues affecting Kent, including financial...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST  Episode 33:  Michael Howard – Reflections on a Political Journey  In this special episode of The Kent Politics Podcast, Simon Finlay interviews for leader of the Conservative Party Michael Howard, Lord Howard of Lympne. Key Discussion Points:  1. Political Career Overview Elected as MP for Folkestone and Hythe in 1983. Served in the cabinets of Margaret Thatcher and John...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST   Episode 32 - Special guest Tory leadership candidate Tom Tugendhat, council chasing £24m in lost tax, and anti-crime project loses funding   This week’s episode dives deep into local government issues across Kent, including Medway Council's unpaid council tax dilemma, a major crime-fighting initiative losing its funding, and anticipated tax rises in the October budget. ...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST  Episode 31 - Dirty Secrets, Far-right Fizzling and a Village Green, and Swale Independent Richard Palmer   Episode Overview  Welcome to the Kent Politics Podcast, your go-to source for insightful discussions on local and national political matters. In this episode, we delve into recent events in Medway, anti-immigration protests in Dover, and a controversial village gree...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST  EP30: Dodgy tweets, solar farms and crime commissioner Matthew Scott  Uncover the pulse of local politics with the latest episode of the Kent Politics Podcast! 🎙️ Dive into a riveting discussion where our hosts, Simon Finlay, Dan Esson, and Robert Boddd, along with special guest Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott dissect pressing issues from solar farm cont...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST  Episode 29 - Riots, children's centre closures and Chatham and Aylesford MP Tris Osborne  Episode Highlights:  Fake News and Societal Impact : The podcast opens with concerns about the influence of fake news on society and its potential to cause destruction.  Local Government Insights : Dive into local government operations across Kent, including budget monitoring, servi...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST Episode 28 - Special Edition - The 'Bionic Lord' Craig Mackinlay  In this episode of the Kent Politics Podcast, host Simon Finlay sits down with former Conservative MP and newly appointed Lord, Craig Mackinlay. They discuss his harrowing experience with sepsis that led to the loss of his limbs and how he has turned a personal tragedy into an opportunity for advocacy in he...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST  Episode 27:  Tower blocks, cameras and local government expert Jonathan Carr-West   In this episode of the Kent Politics Podcast, we explore pressing issues affecting local government and national politics. The discussion focuses on the financial struggles of councils, potential policy changes under Labour leadership, housing refurbishments in Thanet, traffic enforcement...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST  Episode 26 -  Solar farms, Medway’s future, court jams and Katie Lam  In this episode of the Kent Politics Podcast , we tackle pressing issues affecting both local governance in Kent and national political matters. Our conversation spans topics like immigration, solar farms, backlogs in courts, and the implications of new policies announced during the King's speech.  FEA...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST  Episode 25 - New government, changes in Kent and Iain Dale  This Week’s Topics:  Local government insights from Simon Finlay  and Dan Esson  Paul Francis' analysis on Westminster happenings.  Special guest Iain Dale shares his brief candidacy journey for Tunbridge Wells.  Key Discussion Points:  Labour's Planning Policies & Impact on Kent:  Speculation about Labour’s hou...