In this week’s Kent Politics Podcast our reporters discuss resurfaced tweets causing an MP trouble, new data which shows Kent as one of the sickest counties in the country, and a solar farm planning application.

We’re also joined by Matthew Scott, Kent’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), who talks about the role under the new Labour government and how he’s backing Tom Tugendhat to be the new Tory leader.

He told us about his journey into politics, his role and where it might lead in the future, including if he’d considered a parliamentary career somewhere down the line.

He also revealed why he thinks fellow Kent Tory Mr Tugendhat is the best choice of the six contenders to take on the role as leader of the Conservative Party and leader of the opposition.

Additionally, he talks about the new government’s position on PCCs generally, after the Lib Dems suggested they should be abolished, and whether Labour is looking in this direction.

Our reporters also talk about Rochester and Strood MP Lauren Edwards’ resurfaced offensive tweets which caught the eye of Twitter/X owner Elon Musk, as well as whether old posts are as big a scandal as they used to be.

The question whether Kent is one of the sickest counties in the country, with some of the highest spends on prescriptions, are discussed as well as a planning application for a solar farm considered by Swale council.

The Kent Politics Podcast, which brings together reporters Simon Finlay, Robert Boddy, and Dan Esson each week, was launched in January.

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

Readers can also keep up-to-date with the latest political news on our dedicated Kent Politics page.

New podcast episodes are available each Friday.