Kent Current
@kentcurrent.news
Independent news for Kent
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Join thousands of readers getting local news without the clickbait or ads at https://www.kentcurrent.news/
🚒 Fire authority in limbo as Reform suspensions stall oversight
🏴 Faversham flag wars latest
🎤 Thanet's last youth centre
💷 Latest financial interests of Kent MPs
🗳️ Canterbury by-election, and lots more
🏴 Faversham flag wars latest
🎤 Thanet's last youth centre
💷 Latest financial interests of Kent MPs
🗳️ Canterbury by-election, and lots more
Fire authority in limbo as Reform suspensions stall oversight
Plus Faversham flag wars, Thanet's last youth centre, latest financial interests of Kent MPs, a Canterbury by-election, and lots more
www.kentcurrent.news
November 11, 2025 at 8:33 AM
🚒 Fire authority in limbo as Reform suspensions stall oversight
🏴 Faversham flag wars latest
🎤 Thanet's last youth centre
💷 Latest financial interests of Kent MPs
🗳️ Canterbury by-election, and lots more
🏴 Faversham flag wars latest
🎤 Thanet's last youth centre
💷 Latest financial interests of Kent MPs
🗳️ Canterbury by-election, and lots more
🎄 Flags spark as a festive stand-off, with one village claiming it can't put up Christmas lights until flags come down
🗣️ A chaotic Kent County Council meeting
➡️ What else is happening at KCC this week?
🗞️ News in brief, and more
🗣️ A chaotic Kent County Council meeting
➡️ What else is happening at KCC this week?
🗞️ News in brief, and more
Flags spark festive stand-off
Plus what's going on at KCC this week, a chaotic council meeting, news in brief, and more
www.kentcurrent.news
November 7, 2025 at 9:24 AM
🎄 Flags spark as a festive stand-off, with one village claiming it can't put up Christmas lights until flags come down
🗣️ A chaotic Kent County Council meeting
➡️ What else is happening at KCC this week?
🗞️ News in brief, and more
🗣️ A chaotic Kent County Council meeting
➡️ What else is happening at KCC this week?
🗞️ News in brief, and more
KCC is underway and it's already a bit weird.
Kent County Council is getting underway.
Slightly odd arrangements in place where usual press seats have been closed, leaving us in the public gallery, which has 14 seats. Far more than 14 people are here, leading to several journalists and others being left outside of the room.
But we’re in.
Slightly odd arrangements in place where usual press seats have been closed, leaving us in the public gallery, which has 14 seats. Far more than 14 people are here, leading to several journalists and others being left outside of the room.
But we’re in.
November 6, 2025 at 10:09 AM
KCC is underway and it's already a bit weird.
Reposted by Kent Current
Another one gone in Kent.
Cllr Isabella Kemp, elected for Reform in May, is now listed as an independent. It is unclear at this point precisely why Cllr Kemp has exited the party.
This means Reform has now lost 9 of the 57 councillors they saw elected only six months ago.
Cllr Isabella Kemp, elected for Reform in May, is now listed as an independent. It is unclear at this point precisely why Cllr Kemp has exited the party.
This means Reform has now lost 9 of the 57 councillors they saw elected only six months ago.
November 6, 2025 at 7:20 AM
Another one gone in Kent.
Cllr Isabella Kemp, elected for Reform in May, is now listed as an independent. It is unclear at this point precisely why Cllr Kemp has exited the party.
This means Reform has now lost 9 of the 57 councillors they saw elected only six months ago.
Cllr Isabella Kemp, elected for Reform in May, is now listed as an independent. It is unclear at this point precisely why Cllr Kemp has exited the party.
This means Reform has now lost 9 of the 57 councillors they saw elected only six months ago.
In the course of three years, @stuartjeffery.bsky.social went from being the only Green on Maidstone Borough Council to leading it. We talk to him about his journey to becoming leader, the recent by-election around Lenham, and his support for new Green Party leader Zack Polanski.
“We’re focused on the practical aspects rather than petty politics”
What we asked Stuart Jeffery, Leader of Maidstone Borough Council
www.kentcurrent.news
November 5, 2025 at 8:09 PM
In the course of three years, @stuartjeffery.bsky.social went from being the only Green on Maidstone Borough Council to leading it. We talk to him about his journey to becoming leader, the recent by-election around Lenham, and his support for new Green Party leader Zack Polanski.
🚄 A win for Virgin, but not for Kent. As a new operator is granted permission to run cross-Channel services, is there any prospect of them actually stopping in Kent?
Plus:
➡️ Reform fractures deepen
🗳️ Two very different by-elections
🗞️ News in brief, and more
Plus:
➡️ Reform fractures deepen
🗳️ Two very different by-elections
🗞️ News in brief, and more
A win for Virgin, but not for Kent
Plus Reform fractures deepen in Kent, two very different by-elections, news in brief, and more
www.kentcurrent.news
November 4, 2025 at 11:55 AM
🚄 A win for Virgin, but not for Kent. As a new operator is granted permission to run cross-Channel services, is there any prospect of them actually stopping in Kent?
Plus:
➡️ Reform fractures deepen
🗳️ Two very different by-elections
🗞️ News in brief, and more
Plus:
➡️ Reform fractures deepen
🗳️ Two very different by-elections
🗞️ News in brief, and more
We lead our Monday briefing with the horrifying fact that 56 children have vanished after arriving in Kent as unaccompanied child refugees.
Plus:
➡️ Assessing Reform's running of Kent
⬅️ A Dartford defection
🚛 New truck stop proposed, and lots more
Plus:
➡️ Assessing Reform's running of Kent
⬅️ A Dartford defection
🚛 New truck stop proposed, and lots more
56 children vanished after arriving alone in Kent
Plus assessing Reform's running of Kent, a Dartford defection, new truck stop proposed, and more
www.kentcurrent.news
November 3, 2025 at 2:46 PM
We lead our Monday briefing with the horrifying fact that 56 children have vanished after arriving in Kent as unaccompanied child refugees.
Plus:
➡️ Assessing Reform's running of Kent
⬅️ A Dartford defection
🚛 New truck stop proposed, and lots more
Plus:
➡️ Assessing Reform's running of Kent
⬅️ A Dartford defection
🚛 New truck stop proposed, and lots more
St John's, Tunbridge Wells by-election result:
Joe Dore (TW Independents) - 20
Kit Hawes-Webb (TW Alliance) - 105
Chris Hoare (Reform) - 177
Ukonu Obasi (Lib Dem) - 629 - ELECTED
Kate Sargeant (Green) - 160
David Sumner (Conservative) - 90
Turnout: 28.4%
Joe Dore (TW Independents) - 20
Kit Hawes-Webb (TW Alliance) - 105
Chris Hoare (Reform) - 177
Ukonu Obasi (Lib Dem) - 629 - ELECTED
Kate Sargeant (Green) - 160
David Sumner (Conservative) - 90
Turnout: 28.4%
October 30, 2025 at 11:36 PM
St John's, Tunbridge Wells by-election result:
Joe Dore (TW Independents) - 20
Kit Hawes-Webb (TW Alliance) - 105
Chris Hoare (Reform) - 177
Ukonu Obasi (Lib Dem) - 629 - ELECTED
Kate Sargeant (Green) - 160
David Sumner (Conservative) - 90
Turnout: 28.4%
Joe Dore (TW Independents) - 20
Kit Hawes-Webb (TW Alliance) - 105
Chris Hoare (Reform) - 177
Ukonu Obasi (Lib Dem) - 629 - ELECTED
Kate Sargeant (Green) - 160
David Sumner (Conservative) - 90
Turnout: 28.4%
➡️ A week of reckoning for Reform at County Hall
💷 Kent firms caught underpaying staff
📖 Latest financial declarations for Kent MPs
🗞️ News in brief, and more
💷 Kent firms caught underpaying staff
📖 Latest financial declarations for Kent MPs
🗞️ News in brief, and more
A week of reckoning
Plus Kent firms caught underpaying staff, latest financial declarations for Kent MPs, news in brief, and more
www.kentcurrent.news
October 29, 2025 at 11:07 AM
➡️ A week of reckoning for Reform at County Hall
💷 Kent firms caught underpaying staff
📖 Latest financial declarations for Kent MPs
🗞️ News in brief, and more
💷 Kent firms caught underpaying staff
📖 Latest financial declarations for Kent MPs
🗞️ News in brief, and more
Reposted by Kent Current
Three more Kent Reform councillors have been expelled from the party.
Cllrs Brian Black, Oliver Bradshaw, and Paul Thomas have all been kicked out for showing "a lack of integrity" and "a pattern of dishonest and deceptive behaviour."
Cllrs Brian Black, Oliver Bradshaw, and Paul Thomas have all been kicked out for showing "a lack of integrity" and "a pattern of dishonest and deceptive behaviour."
October 27, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Three more Kent Reform councillors have been expelled from the party.
Cllrs Brian Black, Oliver Bradshaw, and Paul Thomas have all been kicked out for showing "a lack of integrity" and "a pattern of dishonest and deceptive behaviour."
Cllrs Brian Black, Oliver Bradshaw, and Paul Thomas have all been kicked out for showing "a lack of integrity" and "a pattern of dishonest and deceptive behaviour."
Our Monday briefing leads with - and we can only apologise - more Reform shenanigans as two councillors are expelled from the party.
Plus: Two by-elections this week, a new solar conflict, a head-spinning song and dance routine, and lots more.
Plus: Two by-elections this week, a new solar conflict, a head-spinning song and dance routine, and lots more.
Two councillors expelled as County Hall turmoil deepens
Plus two by-elections this week, a new solar conflict, and a head-spinning song and dance routine
www.kentcurrent.news
October 27, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Our Monday briefing leads with - and we can only apologise - more Reform shenanigans as two councillors are expelled from the party.
Plus: Two by-elections this week, a new solar conflict, a head-spinning song and dance routine, and lots more.
Plus: Two by-elections this week, a new solar conflict, a head-spinning song and dance routine, and lots more.
Reposted by Kent Current
Two Kent Reform councillors have been formally expelled from the party.
Cllr Robert Ford and Cllr Bill Barrett have been kicked out after being suspended over the last fortnight for "bringing the party into disrepute."
Cllr Robert Ford and Cllr Bill Barrett have been kicked out after being suspended over the last fortnight for "bringing the party into disrepute."
October 25, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Two Kent Reform councillors have been formally expelled from the party.
Cllr Robert Ford and Cllr Bill Barrett have been kicked out after being suspended over the last fortnight for "bringing the party into disrepute."
Cllr Robert Ford and Cllr Bill Barrett have been kicked out after being suspended over the last fortnight for "bringing the party into disrepute."
For our weekend interview, we sat down with Tonbridge and Malling leader Matt Boughton. We discuss his route to becoming a Conservative councillor and council leader, his thoughts on local government reorganisation, flags, his confidence that there won’t be any defections from his group, and more.
"We should wave our flags more"
What we asked Matt Boughton, the Leader of Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council
www.kentcurrent.news
October 22, 2025 at 11:50 AM
For our weekend interview, we sat down with Tonbridge and Malling leader Matt Boughton. We discuss his route to becoming a Conservative councillor and council leader, his thoughts on local government reorganisation, flags, his confidence that there won’t be any defections from his group, and more.
🔋 Green energy project blocked to protect imaginary countryside
➡️ Reform councillor suspended in misconduct row
🚄 New hope for international rail in Ashford
🗞️ News in brief, and more
➡️ Reform councillor suspended in misconduct row
🚄 New hope for international rail in Ashford
🗞️ News in brief, and more
Protecting imaginary countryside
Plus Reform suspends councillor in misconduct row, new hope for international rail in Ashford, news in brief, and more
www.kentcurrent.news
October 21, 2025 at 9:58 PM
🔋 Green energy project blocked to protect imaginary countryside
➡️ Reform councillor suspended in misconduct row
🚄 New hope for international rail in Ashford
🗞️ News in brief, and more
➡️ Reform councillor suspended in misconduct row
🚄 New hope for international rail in Ashford
🗞️ News in brief, and more
Our Monday briefing is led by the weekend's Reform implosion in Kent, where a leaked video has led to four councillors being suspended from the party.
We've also got the other big news from across Kent, and a look at the week ahead in the county.
We've also got the other big news from across Kent, and a look at the week ahead in the county.
Reform turns on itself
Plus flag wars in Faversham, a Conservative rising star, on patrol with Mike Tapp, news in brief, events, and lots more
www.kentcurrent.news
October 20, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Our Monday briefing is led by the weekend's Reform implosion in Kent, where a leaked video has led to four councillors being suspended from the party.
We've also got the other big news from across Kent, and a look at the week ahead in the county.
We've also got the other big news from across Kent, and a look at the week ahead in the county.
Reposted by Kent Current
Four Reform councillors in Kent have been suspended following a leaked video of internal disagreements over the weekend.
Paul Thomas, Oliver Bradshaw, Maxine Fothergill, and Bill Barrett have all lost the whip this morning.
Reform in Kent have now lost 7 of the 57 councillors elected in May.
Paul Thomas, Oliver Bradshaw, Maxine Fothergill, and Bill Barrett have all lost the whip this morning.
Reform in Kent have now lost 7 of the 57 councillors elected in May.
October 20, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Four Reform councillors in Kent have been suspended following a leaked video of internal disagreements over the weekend.
Paul Thomas, Oliver Bradshaw, Maxine Fothergill, and Bill Barrett have all lost the whip this morning.
Reform in Kent have now lost 7 of the 57 councillors elected in May.
Paul Thomas, Oliver Bradshaw, Maxine Fothergill, and Bill Barrett have all lost the whip this morning.
Reform in Kent have now lost 7 of the 57 councillors elected in May.
Our Monday morning briefing edition is going to be a little late today because Amazon have broken the internet.
Major internet outage hits websites, apps and Lloyds Bank after issue at Amazon Web Services – business live
Fortnite, Roblox, SnapChat, Lloyds Bank and Ring doorbells among services hit by online outage
www.theguardian.com
October 20, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Our Monday morning briefing edition is going to be a little late today because Amazon have broken the internet.
For our big weekend interview, we sat down with writer, comedian, and kink sex worker Melissa Todd.
“I have had a few Cabinet ministers over my knee”
Melissa Todd on kink, comedy, and why she loves her life as a sex worker and writer
www.kentcurrent.news
October 16, 2025 at 8:19 AM
For our big weekend interview, we sat down with writer, comedian, and kink sex worker Melissa Todd.
🇵🇸 Pro-Palestinian protestors have campaigned outside of Kent's largest arms manufacturer
🏫 KCC to divert £2m from schools budget
🌳 A dispute in Sole Street
🌝 Tea on the moon
🎟️ Upcoming Kent events
🗞️ News in brief, and more
🏫 KCC to divert £2m from schools budget
🌳 A dispute in Sole Street
🌝 Tea on the moon
🎟️ Upcoming Kent events
🗞️ News in brief, and more
A distant war reaches the gates of BAE
Plus KCC set to divert £2m from schools budget, Sole Street dispute, and tea on the moon
www.kentcurrent.news
October 15, 2025 at 9:38 AM
🇵🇸 Pro-Palestinian protestors have campaigned outside of Kent's largest arms manufacturer
🏫 KCC to divert £2m from schools budget
🌳 A dispute in Sole Street
🌝 Tea on the moon
🎟️ Upcoming Kent events
🗞️ News in brief, and more
🏫 KCC to divert £2m from schools budget
🌳 A dispute in Sole Street
🌝 Tea on the moon
🎟️ Upcoming Kent events
🗞️ News in brief, and more
Reposted by Kent Current
Another one falls in Kent.
Reform has suspended county councillor Robert Ford after a complaint was made about him by 'several female members of staff.'
The party said that Cllr Ford refused to engage with the complaints process, so he has had the whip removed pending a disciplinary process.
Reform has suspended county councillor Robert Ford after a complaint was made about him by 'several female members of staff.'
The party said that Cllr Ford refused to engage with the complaints process, so he has had the whip removed pending a disciplinary process.
October 13, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Another one falls in Kent.
Reform has suspended county councillor Robert Ford after a complaint was made about him by 'several female members of staff.'
The party said that Cllr Ford refused to engage with the complaints process, so he has had the whip removed pending a disciplinary process.
Reform has suspended county councillor Robert Ford after a complaint was made about him by 'several female members of staff.'
The party said that Cllr Ford refused to engage with the complaints process, so he has had the whip removed pending a disciplinary process.
💷 Kent County Council crashes into financial reality and looks to increase council tax
➡️ Five Conservative councillors in the county defect to Reform
🧑💻 Old tweets from a KCC member resurface yet again
➡️ Five Conservative councillors in the county defect to Reform
🧑💻 Old tweets from a KCC member resurface yet again
Not magic?
Reform-led Kent crashes into financial reality, five Conservatives defect, and old tweets resurface once again
kentcurrent.substack.com
October 13, 2025 at 10:41 AM
💷 Kent County Council crashes into financial reality and looks to increase council tax
➡️ Five Conservative councillors in the county defect to Reform
🧑💻 Old tweets from a KCC member resurface yet again
➡️ Five Conservative councillors in the county defect to Reform
🧑💻 Old tweets from a KCC member resurface yet again
In our new weekly briefing this week:
🤬 Kent county councillor calls resident a 'f@?kwit' in testy exchange.
💷 KCC hits financial reality
🌳 Could Kent MP be the next Tory leader?
🏴 Conspiracies and far-right rhetoric in Faversham and Ramsgate
🗞️ News in brief
🎟️ The week ahead
🤬 Kent county councillor calls resident a 'f@?kwit' in testy exchange.
💷 KCC hits financial reality
🌳 Could Kent MP be the next Tory leader?
🏴 Conspiracies and far-right rhetoric in Faversham and Ramsgate
🗞️ News in brief
🎟️ The week ahead
A quiet test of the rules at County Hall
Plus KCC hits financial reality, could a Kent MP be the next Tory leader, an lots more
www.kentcurrent.news
October 7, 2025 at 4:32 PM
In our new weekly briefing this week:
🤬 Kent county councillor calls resident a 'f@?kwit' in testy exchange.
💷 KCC hits financial reality
🌳 Could Kent MP be the next Tory leader?
🏴 Conspiracies and far-right rhetoric in Faversham and Ramsgate
🗞️ News in brief
🎟️ The week ahead
🤬 Kent county councillor calls resident a 'f@?kwit' in testy exchange.
💷 KCC hits financial reality
🌳 Could Kent MP be the next Tory leader?
🏴 Conspiracies and far-right rhetoric in Faversham and Ramsgate
🗞️ News in brief
🎟️ The week ahead
Reposted by Kent Current
Multiple Conservative councillors in Kent are defecting to Reform today.
Cllr Robbie Lammas in Medway, a former staffer to Richard Holden, has jumped.
Cllr Gary Harding, Cllr David Beattie, Cllr Emma Elliott, and Cllr Aaron Elliott in Gravesham defected en masse this morning in Gravesham.
Cllr Robbie Lammas in Medway, a former staffer to Richard Holden, has jumped.
Cllr Gary Harding, Cllr David Beattie, Cllr Emma Elliott, and Cllr Aaron Elliott in Gravesham defected en masse this morning in Gravesham.
October 7, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Multiple Conservative councillors in Kent are defecting to Reform today.
Cllr Robbie Lammas in Medway, a former staffer to Richard Holden, has jumped.
Cllr Gary Harding, Cllr David Beattie, Cllr Emma Elliott, and Cllr Aaron Elliott in Gravesham defected en masse this morning in Gravesham.
Cllr Robbie Lammas in Medway, a former staffer to Richard Holden, has jumped.
Cllr Gary Harding, Cllr David Beattie, Cllr Emma Elliott, and Cllr Aaron Elliott in Gravesham defected en masse this morning in Gravesham.
We're out here bringing joy and positivity to our readers on a Monday afternoon.
Happy Monday! I was having a good day until I was reminded by the SS Richard Montgomery… via @kentcurrent.news
October 6, 2025 at 12:39 PM
We're out here bringing joy and positivity to our readers on a Monday afternoon.
➡️ Reform sweeps triple by-election in Maidstone to gain first seats on borough council
🏴 Anti-immigration protests expand to more Kent towns
😷 Covid sneaks back
🗞️ News in brief, and more
🏴 Anti-immigration protests expand to more Kent towns
😷 Covid sneaks back
🗞️ News in brief, and more
Maidstone reformed
The party sweeps by-election to take three seats in the borough. Plus anti-immigration protests expand to more towns, covid is back, news in brief, and more
www.kentcurrent.news
October 3, 2025 at 3:16 PM
➡️ Reform sweeps triple by-election in Maidstone to gain first seats on borough council
🏴 Anti-immigration protests expand to more Kent towns
😷 Covid sneaks back
🗞️ News in brief, and more
🏴 Anti-immigration protests expand to more Kent towns
😷 Covid sneaks back
🗞️ News in brief, and more