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Simon Finlay, Local Democracy Reporter

Simon Finlay started his career at a news picture agency in his home city, Belfast, during the Troubles. He moved to London in the 1980s and worked on local and national Sunday newspapers as well as a five year stint in television. He moved to Kent in 1999 where he has edited the Dover Express, Folkestone Herald, Times of Tunbridge Wells and latterly the Downs Mail. He joined the KM Group in 2023 at a Local Democracy Reporter covering Kent County Council

Simon Finlay, Local Democracy Reporter

‘Reform won bigger here than anywhere else - but we’re worried’

09 June 2025
‘Reform won bigger here than anywhere else - but we’re worried’

Nigel Farage’s party hit this corner of Kent like a “tsunami” - but not everyone is happy. We spoke to the political outsiders in “Reformland”.

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Counting the cost of top crime role few people know exists

02 June 2025
Counting the cost of top crime role few people know exists

A special KentOnline investigation has revealed how much the poorly supported Kent Police and Crime Commissioner election cost the taxpayer last year.

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‘The victors clapped, cheered and walloped the tables, while the minuscule opposition watched in bemused fascination’

30 May 2025
‘The victors clapped, cheered and walloped the tables, while the minuscule opposition watched in bemused fascination’

Local democracy reporter Simon Finlay gives his thoughts on Reform UK’s first council meeting in charge of KCC.

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Sex offences, shoplifting and fraud in Kent increases – but overall crime is down

28 May 2025
Sex offences, shoplifting and fraud in Kent increases – but overall crime is down

New figures have revealed a sharp rise in shoplifting, fraud and sexual offences in the county over the past year.

11

Crime chief fires warning over increase in organised flytipping

28 May 2025
Crime chief fires warning over increase in organised flytipping

A high-level summit is to be held in Kent to discuss how the authorities can tackle the plague of industrial-scale waste dumping.

3

New Reform UK council leader announces cuts to member allowances

22 May 2025
New Reform UK council leader announces cuts to member allowances

The new Reform leader of Kent County Council has pledged to cut member allowances and find savings at the cash-strapped authority.

Turmoil-hit Tory council’s ‘days are numbered’

21 May 2025
Turmoil-hit Tory council’s ‘days are numbered’

An opposition leader has predicted the end for a Tory-run council after nine of its councillors quit the party.

New Reform UK Cabinet to be revealed

21 May 2025
New Reform UK Cabinet to be revealed

The first full meeting of Kent County Council (KCC) since Reform UK swept into office with a landslide victory takes place on Thursday morning.

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Calls for leader to resign as Tories suffer ninth resignation in five days

19 May 2025
Calls for leader to resign as Tories suffer ninth resignation in five days

A ninth Conservative has left the ruling group of a Kent council amid calls for the leader to step down.

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New Reform councillor backs opposition to massive house-building scheme

19 May 2025
New Reform councillor backs opposition to massive house-building scheme

A newly elected county councillor has publicly backed opponents of one of the biggest proposed house-building schemes in Kent.

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Labour MPs in Kent face wipe-out, says new polling

16 May 2025
Labour MPs in Kent face wipe-out, says new polling

Every Labour MP in Kent will lose their seats to Reform UK if local election trends are replicated in a national poll, new analysis suggests.

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‘Shattered’ Tories lose control of council after eight members quit

16 May 2025
‘Shattered’ Tories lose control of council after eight members quit

The Conservatives have lost control of a once true-blue council after a revolt last night when seven members resigned the whip.

Fears for school farm’s future after ‘temporary’ closure

16 May 2025
Fears for school farm’s future after ‘temporary’ closure

The future of a much-loved school farm is feared to be in doubt following a temporary closure.

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Tory group pick new leader at Kent County Council

13 May 2025
Tory group pick new leader at Kent County Council

The Conservative group has chosen their new leader at Kent County Council - less than a fortnight after being trounced by Reform UK at the elections.

Bitter backlash over Reform plans to remove flag from council chamber

13 May 2025
Bitter backlash over Reform plans to remove flag from council chamber

The new leader of Kent County Council has sparked a furious backlash over plans to remove the Ukrainian flag.

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Police facing lawsuit from former officer arrested over tweet

12 May 2025
Police facing lawsuit from former officer arrested over tweet

Crime commissioner Matthew Scott has described the arrest of a former special constable as “unacceptable” as it emerges the man is suing Kent Police.

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‘Could Reform's council victories herald the start of a new era in British politics?’

09 May 2025
‘Could Reform's council victories herald the start of a new era in British politics?’

This week, local democracy reporter Simon Finlay looks at how Reform won control of Kent County Council, and what challenges it now faces…

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New KCC Reform UK leader reveals plan for council

08 May 2025
New KCC Reform UK leader reveals plan for council

The newly-elected leader of Kent Council Council reveals her plan to bring in auditors and remove the Ukrainian flag at its HQ.

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Reform UK elect new Kent County Council leader

08 May 2025
Reform UK elect new Kent County Council leader

Reform UK councillors have tonight chosen the new leader of Kent County Council.

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KCC victory was a Reform political Exocet but the hard work starts now

02 May 2025
KCC victory was a Reform political Exocet but the hard work starts now

Local democracy reporter Simon Finlay warns that as stunning a victory as Reform UK’s was, the really hard work lies ahead.

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