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‘We don’t need Operation Brock on the M20 so often’

26 July 2023
‘We don’t need Operation Brock on the M20 so often’

An MP is urging emergency planners to restrict the use of Operation Brock on the M20 to “extreme circumstances”.

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'Labour's ULEZ expansion cost party victory in by-election - Starmer needs to act fast'

24 July 2023
'Labour's ULEZ expansion cost party victory in by-election - Starmer needs to act fast'

After controversial plans to expand ULEZ cost Labour Boris Johnson’s former seat, Paul Francis says Starmer must act quickly to limit the damage.

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Labour members fear ULEZ will lose them Kent voters

22 July 2023
Labour members fear ULEZ will lose them Kent voters

Labour members in tKent have urged London Mayor Saidq Khan to pause on his ULEZ expansion plans over fears they could lose supporters.

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'Government wants to curb 'Mickey Mouse' degrees - but focus should be on uni fees'

17 July 2023
'Government wants to curb 'Mickey Mouse' degrees - but focus should be on uni fees'

Political editor Paul Francis questions the government’s priorities as plans are revealed to clamp down on ‘low-quality’ degrees with poor outcomes.

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‘Op Brock’s back but the worst disruption is yet to come!’

14 July 2023
‘Op Brock’s back but the worst disruption is yet to come!’

There are fears cross-Channel travellers could face even worse disruption if the government does not take steps to ease the impact of new rules.

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Ordering Disney mural’s removal at child asylum seeker centre – is government taking the Mickey?

10 July 2023
Ordering Disney mural’s removal at child asylum seeker centre – is government taking the Mickey?

Political editor Paul Francis considers the government’s heavy-handed approach in ordering the removal of a mural from a child asylum seeker centre.

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Legal fight over Manston Airport goes to High Court

04 July 2023
Legal fight over Manston Airport goes to High Court

A legal tussle set to scupper or seriously delay a bid to bring a derelict airport back into use is about to resume.

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‘Much-admired NHS turns 75 – but its many challenges cast a shadow over its future’

03 July 2023
‘Much-admired NHS turns 75 – but its many challenges cast a shadow over its future’

As the NHS approaches its 75th anniversary, political editor Paul Francis explores the many challenges facing the much-admired institution.

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Council missing pothole repair targets – because of ‘bad weather’

30 June 2023
Council missing pothole repair targets – because of ‘bad weather’

Bad weather is being blamed for an increase in potholes going unrepaired – as targets for fixing damaged roads are being missed by thousands.

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Police constables in Kent having to take on work of PCSOs after huge cuts

29 June 2023
Police constables in Kent having to take on work of PCSOs after huge cuts

Police constables are having to take on some of the work of PCSOs in the wake of huge cuts, Kent’s crime commissioner has admitted.

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Kent to get extra MP in constituency shake-up

28 June 2023
Kent to get extra MP in constituency shake-up

The county will get an additional parliamentary seat, under plans from the Boundary Commission which will split up several constituencies.

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Would Eurostar still be stopping in Kent if we hadn't sold our stake?

27 June 2023
Would Eurostar still be stopping in Kent if we hadn't sold our stake?

As the campaign to restore Eurostar services in Kent continues, what happened to the £757 million the government was paid for selling its stake?

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‘Brexit has political equivalent of seven-year itch – what do we have to show for it?’

26 June 2023
‘Brexit has political equivalent of seven-year itch – what do we have to show for it?’

Seven years on from the Brexit referendum, political editor Paul Francis considers the progress made since Britain’s departure from the EU.

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Elected mayor could lead Kent and Medway under devolution plans

26 June 2023
Elected mayor could lead Kent and Medway under devolution plans

Council leaders are hoping that devolution plans will help boost Kent’s economy.

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Kent MP one of seven to back Boris

20 June 2023
Kent MP one of seven to back Boris

One Kent Mp voted against a report by the privileges committee that said Boris Johnson misled the Commons about ‘partygate.’

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‘Mother of all hangovers for Conservatives after partygate – the sequel’

19 June 2023
‘Mother of all hangovers for Conservatives after partygate – the sequel’

The damage caused by yet another lockdown party could prove too much for the Tories at the next general election, says political editor Paul Francis.

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Why Kent MP backs damning report on Boris and ‘Partygate’

16 June 2023
Why Kent MP backs damning report on Boris and ‘Partygate’

A Kent MP has broken his silence over the Privileges Committee’s damning report into Boris Johnson.

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Highest number of small boat crossings in single day this year

12 June 2023
Highest number of small boat crossings in single day this year

More than 600 people crossed the English Channel in small boats on Sunday – the highest amount on a single day so far this year.

Boris quits in ‘almighty strop’ – but could Kent feature in his comeback plans?

12 June 2023
Boris quits in ‘almighty strop’ – but could Kent feature in his comeback plans?

Boris Johnson has thrown in the towel – but could Kent feature in any future comeback plans? Political editor Paul Francis considers the possibility.

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‘Blaming everyone else is classic Boris strategy’

10 June 2023
‘Blaming everyone else is classic Boris strategy’

After Boris Johnson’s shock resignation as an MP, our political editor Paul Francis ponders what next for the former PM.

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