On a low turnout, this election was a disappointing night for Dartford Labour Party, losing its only county representative in Kelly Grehan, and failing to make any inroad into the other five. All Dartford seats, following a national trend, are represented by Reform candidates, who now form the majority on the County Council with 57 seats. Libdems are on 12; Tory and Green each on 5, and Lab/Co-op down to 2. We congratulate our new local councillors and wish them well in representing Dartford at County Hall.

Jim Dickson MP said: “Well done to all the Labour candidates who campaigned hard across Dartford. Shoutout to Cllr Kelly Grehan for her work over the past 4 years.

“Congratulations to all the winning candidates. Kent faces some tough challenges and we need to see action to fix them. 

“I look forward to working with all those elected, especially on SEND provision, fixing our roads and sorting out our buses.”

Cllr Grehan meanwhile thanked her supporters: “While we didn’t get the result we had hoped for, the support we saw—on election day itself and throughout the campaign—was a powerful reminder of everything that is great about our movement. From door knocking in the rain to delivering leaflets, and simply showing up with determination and belief, you each played a vital part in making our values visible in the community.

“It has been my honour to represent Dartford North East over the past few years. Although I am, of course, sad that I won’t be continuing in that role, I am incredibly proud of my record and the work we have done together. I will look back on this time with pride and deep fondness.

“The messages and support I’ve received since the result have meant a great deal to me, and I’m incredibly grateful to be surrounded by such a principled and caring group of people in the Labour Party.

“We may not have won this time, but our fight is far from over. We regroup, we learn, and we go again—stronger, sharper, and more united than ever. The people of Dartford still need a Labour voice standing up for fairness, compassion, and progress, and we will continue to be that voice.”

Promoted by Ruby Singh, on behalf of DCLP and its candidates, all at 99 Kent Road, DA1 2AJ