The Kent Politics Podcast

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST  Episode 24 - UK Election Special  In this special episode of The Kent Politics Podcast, we look at the results and implications of a historic UK General Election win for Sir Keir Starmer's Labour Party. Our panel discusses his challenges as he promises change, and how various parties fared during election night. We also explore potential leadership contenders within the...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST  EPISODE 23 - Hustings, more hustings and Electoral Calculus boss Martin Baxter In this episode of the Kent Politics Podcast, we delve into the final week of a riveting general election campaign. Our host Simon Finlay is accompanied by local democracy experts Robert Boddy and Daniel Esson, as well as KM Group political editor Paul Francis. They are later joined by Special...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST  Episode 22 - Election Hustings in Kent, KCC eyes £80m savings, and is Labour heading for supermajority?  In this episode of the Kent Politics Podcast, we delve into the intricacies of local and national politics with a special focus on upcoming parliamentary elections. Host Simon Finlay is joined by  Robert Boddy, Daniel Esson, Paul Francis, and this week's special guest...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST  Episode 21: Private school SEND costs, cat bans, manifesto madness and special guest Howard Cox  Welcome to the latest episode of the Kent Politics Podcast, where we delve into the complexities of local and national political dynamics. This week, our panel discusses a range of topics including a unique housing development in Medway that bans cats and kids, spiralling cos...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST  Episode 20 -  Planning sagas, Eurostar and a mystery unsolved with special guest David Naghi  In this episode of the Kent Politics Podcast:  We explore the controversial approval of Chatham Docks redevelopment despite public outcry and potential legal challenges. Discover how this decision has led to accusations of Labour's political U-turn in Medway.  Learn about the fa...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST  Episode 19 - Farage back in Kent, radio star Iain Dale eyes seat and special guest Cllr George Perfect  Welcome to another episode of the Kent Politics Podcast, where we delve into the pressing political issues affecting both local governance and national policies from a uniquely Kent perspective. This week, we tackle an array of topics that are shaping our region's poli...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST Episode 18 - Kent's major General Election role and special guest Gravesham parliamentary candidate Dr Lauren Sullivan In this week's episode of the Kent Politics Podcast, we unpack the highly anticipated announcement of a general election set for July 4th. With Britain at a crossroads, our panelists explore how key decision-makers in local government across Kent are gear...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST Episode 17 - Former deputy PM Damien Green, Natalie Elphicke fallout and bus pass price hike anger This episode of the Kent Politics Podcast delves into a variety of pressing political topics, both at the local level in Kent and on the national stage. We cover Dover MP Natalie Elphicke's party defection, controversial traffic measures in Medway, bus pass cost hikes, and m...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST Episode 16:  In this episode of the Kent Politics Podcast, we unpack the recent local elections and their implications for the political landscape. The discussion begins with an overview of how conservative voters have dispersed across various parties, highlighting a significant shift away from traditional patterns. Key Points Discussed: Local Elections Analysis : Liberal...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST Episode 15 - Docks decision, spying on the council and Rwanda. Special guest, Cllr Mike Baldock - leader of Swale Independents Alliance Group. In this episode of the Kent Politics podcast, we tackle the pressing issue of housing versus office space development in London's overspill areas, such as Kent. We examine how this affects local residents' ability to climb the hous...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST EP14: Bracing for Dover chaos, 12,000 homes for Dartford and potholes row in Medway / Matt Boughton - Tonbridge & Malling Council Leader In this episode of the Kent Politics Podcast, we tackle pressing local issues from village hall debates to national political turbulence. Hear from council leaders grappling with the contentious process of creating local plans that never...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST Episode 13 - Big bucks, the Olympics and a public health warning / Cllr Stuart Jeffery of the Green Party. In this episode of the Kent Politics Podcast, we discuss a range of local and national political issues that are shaping the landscape in Kent. From electoral reform to health disparities across wards, the team  delve into topics that affect residents' lives daily. W...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST Episode 12 - Medway potholes, a Whitstable town council and the Kent crime commissioner election / Canterbury Council Leader Alan Baldock In this episode of the Kent Politics Podcast, we explore a variety of pressing issues affecting both local governance and national political discussions. From pothole problems in Medway to the debate over new town councils and police co...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST EPISODE 11 : Citizens advice cuts, a bridge too far and asylum seeker backlash / Mike Tapp Labour parliamentary candidate. Welcome to the latest episode of the Kent Politics Podcast, where we delve into pressing political issues affecting local communities and analyse national decisions impacting our lives in Kent. This week's discussions revolve around cost-of-living con...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST Episode 10 - More housing, more traffic and more problems with the Port of Dover / Cllr Kevin Mills Welcome to the latest episode of the Kent Politics Podcast, where we unpack pressing political issues from a Kent perspective. In this installment, we delve into Maidstone's controversial housing plan, discuss health and social care integration in Medway and Swale, explore...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST Episode 9: Yvette Cooper, Planning Issues and Operation Brock / Jeremy Kite In this episode of the Kent Politics Podcast, we delve into the significant infrastructure projects shaping the future of Kent. From housing developments to transportation, Robert, Dan and Sean along with special guest Dartford Council Leader Jeremy Kite, discuss how these initiatives impact local...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST Episode 8 - Sewage Makes a Stink, Jam-Packed Roads and Why Top Tory Quit / Elizabeth Turpin Interview In this week's episode of the Kent Politics Podcast, we navigate through the murky waters of local politics in Medway and take a broader look at national political currents. Here are some highlights: Medway Concerns: We discuss ongoing issues with river pollution as Medwa...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST Episode 7:  Bankruptcy Delayed, Solar Farm Concerns and Budget Reaction / Vince Maple Interview Welcome to this episode of the Kent Politics Podcast, where we examine local political dynamics in Kent and Medway, as well as national issues with a local twist. This week, we delve into pressing matters such as fiscal challenges faced by councils, controversial planning decis...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST EPISODE 6 -  Budget Woes, Levelling Up, 11 Plus & Biosecurity - Tracey Crouch MP Interview Welcome to the latest episode of the Kent Politics Podcast, where we explore pressing issues in local and national politics from a Kent perspective. In this episode, our host Simon Finlay is joined by Daniel Esson and Robert Boddy, seasoned reporters with their fingers on the pulse...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST EPISODE 5: Navigating Political Currents - From Local Councils to Westminster Woes  In this episode of the Kent Politics Podcast, we dive into local government affairs across Kent County and Medway. We discuss the challenges faced by councils in setting budgets amidst financial pressures and explore how national political issues are influencing local governance. Our panel...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST  EPISODE 4 - Failure to Innovate, MPs Leaving and 11-Plus Problems / Gordon Henderson On the latest episode of the Kent Politics Podcast, we delve into local government issues in Kent, including housing development pressures and financial challenges faced by councils. We also discuss national political trends and hear from Gordon Henderson MP. Key Points Discussed: Brownf...

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST  Episode 3 -  Cutbacks, Unpopular Police and Dodgy Pork / Jim Martin In this episode of the Kent Politics Podcast, we discuss the underinvestment in water infrastructure that has led to a potential decline in bathing water quality. We also delve into Medway Council's financial woes and their request for exceptional powers to avoid bankruptcy. Join us as we explore local g...

Episode 2 : Job losses, Wine Woes and Rallying the Troops / Mike Martin Interview - 2nd February 2024 In this episode of the Kent Politics Podcast, we explore a variety of pressing political issues impacting both local governance in Kent and Medway as well as national politics. Host Simon Finney is joined by Senior News Editor Nikki White and Daniel Esson, who covers borough and district councils...

Episode 1:  Libraries, Docks & Farage in Kent / Natalie Elphicke MP - 26th January 2024 Welcome to episode 1 of the Kent Politics Podcast, where we bring you comprehensive discussions on both local and national political developments. This week, we're unpacking a variety of pressing issues that have been stirring up debate across Kent. Key Topics Covered: - **Local Government Turmoil**: We explore...