Even the prospect of his longtime airport adversary gaining the keys to No 10 isn’t enough to put Cllr Alan Jarrett off the idea of leaving the Europe Union.

The Medway Council leader may have been at loggerheads for years over former London mayor Boris Johnson’s idea of a multi-billion hub at Grain, but they agree on one thing: Brexit.

The debate might have caused bitter infighting between top Tories for some time before the vote on Thursday, June 23 – but Cllr Jarrett’s vote was cast some time ago.

“I just feel very strongly we don’t control our own sovereignty,” he told the Messenger.

“We don’t have adequate control of our borders; we’re not in the Schengen Agreement that means we can move between countries without passports.

“We are, despite our Prime Minister’s assurances, being dragged towards a closer union.”

Remain campaigners argue Britain can maintain its identity and gain strength and influence within such a union, while many top business leaders believe the economic arguments for staying are unanswerable.

And indeed Cllr Jarrett believes most of the country will ultimately agree with them – and vote in.

“I think it will be very tight,” he said.

“But I expect us as a country to vote to stay in.”

But he added: “If it is tight, a lot of people say this will settle the issue once and for all – it won’t.

“The people that don’t like Europe will keep banging the drum. I think there will be uncertainty whatever happens.”

He admitted the decision was a personal one and not made in his position as council leader.

“It’s a matter of choice for individuals – some colleagues agree with me and some don’t,” he said.

At a council level, that division won’t have ramifications for the Tory group, but in parliament a vote to leave could prompt a leadership battle, with Boris Johnson first in the queue to take the Conservative reins – the same man that wants to build a massive airport on the Isle of Grain.

Could Boris Island become reality for Grain – and the country as a whole?

“I hope not,” said Cllr Jarrett.

“As a party member if and when there’s a leadership election I’ll have a vote as I did last time.

“We’re not blessed with choice.

“It’s not a given Cameron will have to stand down but it could make his position untenable.”

Regardless, it’s too late for the Medway leader to be swayed, and he says the cost of staying in the EU was a principle factor.