This week’s Kent Politics Podcast welcomes former Deputy Prime Minster Damian Green.

The top Tory, who has represented Ashford since 1997, tells how he was left “gobsmacked” by the defection of fellow Kent MP Natalie Elphicke to Labour last week.

He explains how he and colleagues have been stunned by Keir Starmer’s decision to take on someone he describes as having “hard-right” positions.

Mr Green also opens up on the challenges of campaigning when his party is doing so badly in the polls and how he welcomes more competition for Channel Tunnel services in the county.

The podcast, which launched in January, is hosted by Kent County Council local democracy reporter Simon Finlay.

He is joined by Robert Boddy, who covers Medway Council, and Daniel Esson, who reports on borough and district councils.

KM political editor Paul Francis also joins the discussion with his weekly Westminster Watch review.

The team debate red-route traffic restrictions in Medway and plans to hike the cost of using a bus in the county.

Next week they’ll be joined by Cllr Lauren Sullivan who is Labour’s parliament candidate for Gravesham.

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.