In this week’s episode of the Kent Politics Podcast our reporters discuss Nigel Farage’s entrance into the general election and who came out better in the first TV debate.

Our special guest this week is David Naghi, a Lib Dem Maidstone Borough Council member and their candidate for the seat of Maidstone and Malling at the general election on July 4.

He talks about why he believes the Labour Party no longer represent the working class and instead it is the Liberal Democrats who have the policies which support them.

He also tells us why, despite polls suggesting a Labour victory in the constituency, he thinks it will be the Liberal Democrats who have the best chance of beating Tory Helen Grant.

Our reporters also discuss the approval of the controversial Chatham Docks planning application at a tense special planning committee, the chances of Eurostar services returning to Kent, and a mystery surrounding a senior officer leaving KCC.

We also talk about the latest in the general election campaign, including Nigel Farage’s standing as a Reform UK candidate in Clacton and the live TV debate between Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer.

The weekly podcast, which launched earlier this year, brings together local democracy reporters, Simon Finlay, Robert Boddy, Dan Esson and KM Media Group political editor Paul Francis.

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

Paul brings his weekly Westminster Watch review – highlighting what’s happening in parliament and how it affects the county.

Next week we’ll be joined by Howard Cox, Reform UK’s candidate for Dover and Deal.

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.

*The full list of candidates standing for the Maidstone and Malling seat at the general election are: Helen Grant, Conservative Party; Maureen Cleator, Labour Party; David Sandru Naghi, Liberal Democrats; Stuart Jeffrey, Green Party; Paul Thomas, Reform UK; and Mark Alexander, Socail Democratic Party.