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From Margaret Thatcher to Nigel Farage, as Tom Tugendhat fights to become the new PM, we look at Kent's most famous politicians

As at least two of our MPs limber up to battle it out to become the new leader of the Conservative Party – and thus Prime Minister – we take a look back at some of the county's best known political figures.

From war-time heroes, to major 20th century reformers and perhaps the most influential politician never to sit in the House of Commons, we look at who the likes of Tom Tugendhat and Rehman Chishti aim to emulate if successful in their bid to replace Boris Johnson.

Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, at the Kent Messenger's old headquarters in Larkfield
Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, at the Kent Messenger's old headquarters in Larkfield

Margaret Thatcher

The formidable Iron Lady experienced three back-to-back political defeats during a brief spell living in the county as she sought election as an MP for the first time.

But while she failed to find a ticket to Westminster, the young Margaret Roberts, as she was then known, did meet her future husband while on the campaign trail.

Formally adopted as Conservative candidate for the safe Labour seat of Dartford in 1949 for the following year's general election, it was at a dinner at the Paint Trades Federation in the town where she first met Denis Thatcher – a man she would marry two years later.

However, luck in love did not translate to the ballot box just yet.

Margaret Thatcher, Conservative leader at home in Lamberhurst
Margaret Thatcher, Conservative leader at home in Lamberhurst

Defeat in the 1950 election was followed by another defeat in the same seat the following year – after Labour PM Clement Atlee called a snap election in a bid to boost his minority government.

He lost, and so did Miss Roberts. Although she shaved 7,500 off MP Norman Dodds' majority over the two elections.

Living in Dartford and working as a research chemist in London, she then attempted to win the Tory nod to contest the Orpington seat in the 1955 election – but failed.

It would be her last major political set-back.

In 1958 she was elected as MP to Finchley.

By 1975 she was party leader and in 1979 swept to power.

During which time she had a bolt-hole flat in the grounds of Scotney Castle in Lamberhurst as she became one of the most influential politicians of the latter part of the 20th century.

She was eventually forced to step down in 1990.

She died in 2013 at the age of 87.

Ted Heath

Edward Heath
Edward Heath

As the debate over Brexit continues to rage, Kent's very own Edward 'Ted' Heath was the man many hailed for taking us into Europe in the first place.

It was during his time as Prime Minister in the first half of the 1970s that the British people voted to join the EC – the forerunner of what is now the EU.

Born in July 1916 in Albion Road, St Peter's, his father was a carpenter and his mother a maid, making his rise in the era to Number 10 all the more remarkable.

Heath attended Chatham House Grammar School in Ramsgate, before a county scholarship saw him secure a place at Oxford where his active interest in the Conservative Party began.

In 1950 he secured election as Bexley's MP. Ironically, a neighbouring constituency to where a young Margaret Thatcher was failing to secure a seat in the Commons. She would eventually replace him as leader of the Conservatives in 1975 after his failure to win the 1974 general election.

Former prime minister Edward Heath opening the Crews Quarters club in Chatham's Historic Dockyard in 1989
Former prime minister Edward Heath opening the Crews Quarters club in Chatham's Historic Dockyard in 1989

Appointed leader of the Tories in 1965, he led the party to election success in 1970 and appointed Mrs T as education and science minister where she would go on to win the nickname 'milk snatcher' after ending free milk for junior school pupils in 1971.

He died in 2005 aged 89.

Michael Howard

When Sir Albert Costain decided to call time on a 24-year career as Conservative MP for Folkestone and Hythe in 1983 he was replaced by barrister Michael Howard.

One of what had been dubbed 'the Cambridge Mafia', he was among a string of students at Cambridge University who would rise to positions of great power under both the Margaret Thatcher and John Major governments.

Former Folkestone and Hythe MP Michael Howard in 2010
Former Folkestone and Hythe MP Michael Howard in 2010

He rose quickly through the ranks and under Thatcher was appointed to the cabinet, becoming a vocal supporter of the PM as she faced the 1990 leadership challenge which would eventually spell the end of her time in office.

Under John Major he became Home Secretary, with a young David Cameron one of his special advisors. But he would perhaps forever be best known for a comment in 1997 by his ministerial colleague, and then Maidstone MP, Ann Widdecombe, who said there was "something of the night" about him – a comment which is credited for putting paid to his hopes of becoming Tory leader after the crushing election defeat later that year.

However, in 2003 he finally led his party – but failed to ignite it. He stepped down at the end of 2005 and was replaced by Cameron who would lead the party to victory in 2010. He stood down as an MP that same year.

He was subsequently named a life peer as Baron Howard of Lympne.

Nigel Farage

Nigel Farage - arguably one of the most influential politicians of the modern age
Nigel Farage - arguably one of the most influential politicians of the modern age

For a man who has never got to sit on one of the green benches in the House of Commons, Nigel Farage has managed to exert a remarkable amount of influence over the chamber.

In fact, it would be fair to say that Brexit, and all that has come with it, would not have happened were it not for Mr Farage banging an anti-EU drum so loudly over a pint and a fag, when the majority of people started agreeing with him.

His efforts to reach Westminster have been frequent. On no fewer than five occasions he tried but all ended in failure. The most recent of which was his high-profile bid for the South Thanet seat in 2015. He even managed to survive a light plane crash in 2010 while on the campaign trail for the seat of Buckingham.

He did enjoy some election success however. In 1999 he served as an MEP for the South East up until we left the European Union.

But it was as leader of Ukip he had his biggest impact – pushing the call for an EU referendum onto the political agenda and effectively forcing the election vow by David Cameron which resulted in 2016's narrow victory for the Leave campaign.

Nigel Farage visits Ramsgate in 2017. Picture: Tony Flashman
Nigel Farage visits Ramsgate in 2017. Picture: Tony Flashman

Born in Downe, when it was still part of Kent, he lived for many years in Westerham.

Love him or loathe him, you cannot ignore him.

Winston Churchill

November 1922 was a time of some turmoil for Winston Churchill. Having reached high office in the government, he lost his seat in that month’s General Election as MP for Dundee.

It followed an 18-month period which also saw him cope with the loss both of his two-year-old daughter Marigold and his mother.

Winston Churchill in December 1941 - the iconic wartime leader who lived in the county for many years
Winston Churchill in December 1941 - the iconic wartime leader who lived in the county for many years

As if to soften the blow, the ambitious politician completed the purchase of a sprawling mansion in the Kent countryside.

And from then until his death in 1965, he would consider Chartwell, near Westerham, his home.

There he would have two spells as Prime Minister – first between 1940 to 1945 and then again from 1951 to 1955. He was the PM when the Queen first took the throne.

There's nowhere near enough space to recount Churchill's remarkable career – suffice to say he is today proclaimed one of the most influential figures in British history after leading the allies to success in the Second World War and keeping the nation free from German invasion.

Chartwell was his escape from the pressures of his two spells in Number 10 – and it was a place close to the heart of both he and his wife Clementine. Churchill died, aged 90, in 1965.

Chartwell looms in the background of its gardens - where Winston Churchill and his wife lived for many years. Picture: National Trust/Andrew Butler
Chartwell looms in the background of its gardens - where Winston Churchill and his wife lived for many years. Picture: National Trust/Andrew Butler

Chartwell is now a popular tourist attraction, managed by the National Trust.

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