This week’s Kent Politics Podcast welcomes the long-standing leader of Dartford council.

Cllr Jeremy Kite has been in charge of the borough’s Tories for almost two decades and shares his views on a range of subjects.

Among them are the frustrations of waiting for work on the £9bn Lower Thames Crossing to finally start.

And how the public are fed up with a political class made up of people who have never done anything but politics.

He also lifts the lid on what’s happening with the town’s landmark Orchard Theatre which had to close last year due to fears for the safety of its roof.

The episode also sees our reporters discuss a visit to Medway by Labour heavyweight Yvette Cooper, and planning issues in Canterbury.

Political editor Paul Francis bring us his weekly Westminster Watch round-up – this week there’s talk of a Kent MP becoming PM.

The podcast, which launched in January, brings together local democracy reporters, Simon Finlay, Robert Boddy, Dan Esson.

Simon covers Kent County Council while Robert reports on Medway Council and Dan specialises in borough and district councils.

Next week we’ll be joined by Dover council leader Cllr Kevin Mills to talk about the challenges of running his district and thoughts on national and local issues.

You can listen to the podcast at IM Listening, or download it from Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and TuneIn – just search for Kent Politics Podcast.

New episodes are available each Friday.

The podcast is the latest move to increase KentOnline’s political coverage ahead of a general election likely to be held later this year.

In recent months we also launched bespoke sections on KentOnline highlighting Kent Politics and Medway Politics.

Added to this is the highly-respected Kent Politics Show which airs on KMTV each Friday evening.