Labour looks set to have a slate of new general election candidates in Kent after many of those who stood in 2015 have opted not to run again.

In the three key battleground seats of Medway, the party will be nominating new candidates who have yet to be named.

Tristan Osborne, who stood in Chatham and Aylesford in 2015, said he had decided not to stand again partly because he had been openly critical of Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership.

"I have been critical of the leadership in the past and I feel it appropriate that there is a candidate who can stand on his platform in June, and secure a Labour government under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn.

“I will continue to support Labour candidates and my residents in Luton and Wayfield ward who need a Labour government.”

He had made the decision “with a heavy heart” he added.

Naushabah Khan, who stood in Rochester and Strood in the by-election triggered by the defection of Mark Reckless in 2014 and then in the general election in 2015, has also decided not to stand.

She has been critical of the party’s response to the threat posed by Ukip.

In an article for Labourlist, published in February, she wrote that in many former strongholds, Ukip had harnessed support because it had played on peoples’ insecurities about issues such as immigration.

“Labour has thus far failed to offer these communities a sense of hope or understanding, leaving room for others to exploit these fears,” she stated.

The veteran Labour stalwart Paul Clark, who was MP for Gillingham for 13 years, will be not be contesting the seat again.

“I have fought six elections and won three and lost three and just think that it is time to pass on the baton to someone else.

“The issue of Jeremy Corbyn has not been a factor at all.

“Six elections is enough for anyone, as much as I have enjoyed it all.

“I will continue to support the party in a number of ways.

“Not least because I am the campaign co-ordinator for Gillingham and Rainham.”

Labour will also be fielding new candidates in other key seats that it has to win if it is to form the next government.

In Gravesham, the party’s candidate in 2015 Tan Dhesi said he had decided another candidate should be found.

“I gave it my best last time and decided that it would be best to let someone else have a go,” he said.

The party will have new candidates in South Thanet and Dover, two other target constituencies which it held in three successive elections when Tony Blair was PM.

Will Scobie, who ran in South Thanet, has ruled himself out and his replacement could be Karen Constantine, a district councillor in Thanet who is also standing in the KCC election.