By Local Democracy Reporter Simon Finlay

Conservative Matthew Scott was voted back into the office of Kent Police and Crime Commissioner, albeit with a reduced share of the vote.

He defeated Lenny Rolles (Labour) and Graham Colley (Liberal Democrat) to secure his third four-year term in office.

Observers were unsure how Mr Scott would fare in the face of challenges facing his party at a national level.

Mr Scott said the result had “bucked” the national trend against the Conservatives seen in recent days at town halls across the country.

On a turnout of 20.22%, he eased past his rivals with a 44% share of the vote.

The result of the election for the £88,000 a year role was announced this afternoon (Sunday, May 5) in the council chamber at Gravesham Borough Council’s civic centre.

The number of voters who turned out (273,278) was down on 2021 (420,422).

Mr Scott said: “I am absolutely thrilled. It is a clear and decisive win. I know I have made a lot of promises to the people of Kent and I absolutely intend to deliver them.

“I will cut crime and support crime victims and will build trust. I thank the people of Kent for putting their faith in me for a third time.

“I think it is about who you can trust on policing and crime. I have a very clear message – I am going to deliver more neighbourhood policing, I am going to cut crime and support victims and tackle antisocial behaviour. Those things resonated and those are the things the residents of Kent told me they wanted to see.”

Mr Scott said he always expected it to be a “tough” election this year.

He added: “I am pleased with the result, which has bucked the national trend for the Conservatives, but I am not going to take for granted those who voted for me or indeed those who voted against me or stayed at home. I am here for everybody.”

Chief Constable for Kent Tim Smith said: “I look forward to continuing my productive working relationship with Mr Scott as we continue to deliver the Police and Crime Plan and work together to keep Kent one of the safest places in the country.”

Defeated Labour candidate Lenny Rolles, who won 34% of the vote, said: “I am pleased with what we achieved in many ways in this election. It was always going to be an uphill struggle.

“But if you look at the communities across Kent and Medway, like Canterbury, Dover and Deal, the coastal communities and here in Gravesham, we have seen a swing to Labour. Labour actually won the popular vote in those areas and it is a demonstration of the fact that people are fed up with Conservative policies.

“I would really like to thank everyone who voted for me, the Labour activists and everyone who’s been out there on the streets to get us the result we’ve got.”

Liberal Democrat Graham Colley said: “I am very pleased to have increased my personal vote but I also believe that the turnout reinforces our belief that the role of the police and crime commissioner should be abolished.”

The field of candidates shrunk this year, not least because they must each poll at least 5% or lose the £5,000 deposit.

Mr Scott said he was “disappointed” at the turnout although some observers in Kent predicted it would be much lower.

He added: “It would probably make more sense to coincide the election with the Kent County Council polls every four years.”

Mr Scott will be in post until 2028.

The commissioner won his first election in 2016 but the 2020 election was postponed because of COVID-19 and held the following year.

In 2021, Mr Scott enjoyed a huge majority of more than 130,000 over his nearest rival on a turnout of 420,422 voters, or 31.8%. The result was –  Matthew Scott, Conservative: 237,278 (56%); Lola Oyewusi, Labour: 103, 807 (24%); Graham Colley, Lib Dem: 69,464 (16%).

As Mr Scott received more than 50% of the valid preference votes, there was no need to count the second preference votes.

THE RESULT

Matthew Scott (Conservative) – 120, 491 (44%)

Lenny Rolles (Labour) – 92, 508 (34%)

Graham Colley (Liberal Democrat) – 60, 279 (22%)

Turnout: 20.22%

Voters: 273, 278