Kent County Council leader Roger Gough survives challenge

The leader of Kent County Council has survived a backbench challenge for his job.

Members voted at an annual meeting at County Hall in Maidstone on Friday.

Roger Gough won by 44 votes to 17 against Sarah Hudson, with all 61 Conservative councillors taking part.

Some had raised concerns about how the council's finances, possible tip closures and potholed roads would play with the electorate in 2025, when the council next goes to the polls.

Mr Gough has been the leader of the council since 2019.

Ms Hudson, who represents the Malling Rural East ward, declared her hand this week, saying Mr Gough needed to include councillors outside the cabinet circle in day-to-day business.

She believed she had the support of 24 members, but in the end fell short of the 31 she needed to win.

A senior backbencher said after the vote: "Roger has to listen more.

"He might have seen off the challenge this time, but what about next October's annual meeting? If Sarah had run him a bit closer, who knows what might have happened next."

After the vote, one councillor said: "These attempted leadership challenges are simply a distraction to the business of running the county.

"We're facing huge challenges in finding cuts all over the place and that is probably of far greater importance right now."

At the same meeting, Alan Ridgers was selected to become the council's vice chairman in 2024 and will assume the chairmanship of the authority the following year.

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