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Sevenoaks Council's New Conservative Leader

Wednesday, 19 November 2025 09:24

By Martin Webber

Cllr Kevin Maskell

The Conservative Kevin Maskell has been elected leader of Sevenoaks District Council after the previous Conservative leader lost a vote of no confidence last month.

Cllr Maskell represents Westerham and Crockham Hill and is the portfolio holder for finance and investments. 

Cllr Maskell's nomination was seconded by Cllr Julia Thornton of the West Kent Independents Party.

Listen here to the resignation statement, plus thoughts about the future from Cllr Maskell and Cllr Thornton speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service:

The council meeting lasted nearly 4 hours, ending with the leadership decision at 10.50pm.

Cllr Maskell received 25 votes, with Cllr Leaman of the Liberal Democrats obtaining 14 votes with one abstention.

The previous leader, Roddy Hogarth (pictured below), told a full council meeting on Tuesday night:

"The last 18 months for me have been both a delight and a challenge. I have found it very rewarding.  I have enjoyed putting challenging initiatives into action and I look forward to their successful conclusion."

Cllr Hogarth concluded: "However, tonight I am honoured to offer this council my resignation."

On Sevenoaks District Council, the Conservatives currently have 24 members, the Liberal Democrats 14, West Kent Independents 9, Green Party four and three other independents.

The WKIs had tabled the motion of no confidence in Cllr Hogarth.  Cllr Hogarth had deposed the leader of the West Kent Independents, Julia Thornton, as leader of the Conservative group in 2024.

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