Husband and wife Labour councillors Mick and Jackie Constable are not standing again for the Queenborough and Halfway ward at the election.

Mr Constable has served 19 years on Swale council and Mrs Constable has had two spells from 1997 to 2001 and 2010 until now.

Mr Constable said: “Over the last five years it’s gone from a collection of committees to a cabinet system similar to the government and parliament.

“By the time something gets to full council it’s rubber stamped. Nothing is ever overturned because of the Conservative majority.

“They are never going to give us the authority to carry on as our own council but until we get an Island council you are banging your head against a brick wall.

“It’s only quasi-judicial bodies like planning committee and licensing where you actually make decisions and I also feel, especially with housing, that the planning committee is lopsided with Sittingbourne and Faversham.

Mrs Constable said: “It’s time for a change. It’s time to get some of my life back.”

She added she has family commitments.

The couple will be standing for the Queenborough Town Council elections.