Candidates Tonbridge

The Green Party will be defending two seats in Tonbridge at the final Kent County Council elections on May 1st.

Unlike most seats, the electoral division of Tonbridge elects the top two candidates.  Last time the Green Party's Mark Hood took 27% and the Green Party's Paul Stepto took 23% and were both elected. 

Mark Hood (pictured below) and Paul Stepto are both standing again, but may find victory more difficult now the Liberal Democrats are back collecting votes.  The Liberal Democrats did not stand in the last vote in 2021.

Mark Hood told West Kent Radio: "Tonbridge residents have a choice on 1st May between their current Green Party councillors who have lived in the town for a combined 90 years and some candidates who don't live here and have no connection to the town". 

Mark Hood continued: "Mark and Paul have worked hard on behalf of their residents to protect our town from four years of Conservative cuts to children's centres and subsidised buses, Tonbridge has managed to retain ours. Many other candidates have really only appeared in the weeks running up to election day. Anyone who lives in our town knows the Green Party is active all year round we don't just appear at election time".

The Conservatives came second in the last vote in 2019, with both Conservatives taking 20% each. 

The two Conservative candidates this time both have addresses in the town.  They are Frixos Tombolis (pictured below) and Jenny Lewis.

The Conservatives listed their priorities as (1) Green the Town (2) Reduce and Rationalise Road Closures and fix the pot holes (3) Combat anti-social behaviour (4) Help to make a future Town Council a success.

In the county council elections eight years ago in 2017, the two Conservatives in Tonbridge were elected with 27% of the vote each.  Their nearest rival was a Liberal Democrat with 8%.

West Kent Radio asked the Tonbridge Liberal Democrats why they were standing this time when they gave a free run to the Greens in the last county election. The Liberal Democrat's Garry Bridge told us: "It is important that people have the chance to vote Liberal Democrat if they want to."

Garry Bridge is standing with fellow Lib Dem Frances Hoskins who both live in Tonbridge. They told West Kent Radio they would fight for Tonbridge and its residents. 

Garry Bridge told us: “Liberal Democrats have always been about community and act for and with the community.  A vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote for local champions, who will listen to residents and work hard all year round, focusing on the local issues people care about most, such as repairing potholes and restoring funding to the adult and children’s services cut by Kent County Council.”

Meanwhile, the Labour candidates Callum Lake and Catherine Tuke promised a Tonbridge that is fairer, more vibrant and more equal.  

Callum Lake told us: "My fellow candidate Catherine and I have spoken to people all over Tonbridge and it's clear that they are ready for change. We pledge to take action on the cost of living, on social care, sustainable development, and on fixing our roads."

The Reform UK candidates are Matt Botten and Gary Longley. Matt Botten stated on his campaign leafet: "We need fresh strong voices to challenge the status quo and really deliver for our community.  As a life-long resident of Tonbridge, with deep roots and a love for our town, I would advocate for a freeze in council tax, common-sense pragmatic decisions and prioritising local people".

Reform UK's Gary Longley called for support "to secure the change we so desperately need."

To summarise, voters in Tonbridge electoral division have five parties to choose from.

For the 2025 Kent County Council vote, the candidates in TONBRIDGE division (with 2 to be elected) are:
Matt Botten & Gary Longley, Reform UK;
Garry Bridge & Frances Hoskins, Lib Dem;
Mark Hood & Paul Stepto, Green Party;
Callum Lake & Catherine Tuke, Labour;
Jennifer Lewis & Frixos Tombolis, Conservatives

Residents in Hildenborough vote for one candidate only in the MALLING WEST division out of:
Sam Gallon, Green Party;  Kathleen Garlock, Labour;
Harry Rayner, Cons;   Christopher Scott, Lib Dem;
Callum Wrighton, Reform UK.

Back in 2021, Malling West was won by the Conservatives with 65% of vote with Green second on 14%.

Residents in Hadlow vote for one candidate only in the MALLING RURAL EAST division:
Timothy Bishop, Lib Dem;   Helen Brown, Reform UK;
Sarah Hudson, Cons;  David Nicholls, Green;
Jack Tyrrell, Labour

Back in 2021, Malling Rural East was won by Sarah Hudson (pictured below) of Conservatives with 65% of the vote with Green Party second on 14%.