When I discussed writing these pieces for Local Authority with Ed, it was with an understanding that with 25-plus years of local authority in Medway to look at, there would be plenty to write about without looking into current affairs. The political gods however have other ideas, and so I find myself writing this first piece during a strange political time where Labour is polling 25 points ahead of the Conservatives. With the battle within the Conservatives between the centrist and the hardliners seemingly being won by the hardliners, and the battle within the Labour Party between the centrists and the hardliners being won by the centrists, I ask the question: what about the hardline centrists?

Or more importantly, what is centrism? Is hardline centrism a thing? What does the Political Compass say hardline centrism would bring to Medway’s politicians? And would Medway vote for hardline centrists?