No surprises – they ended up sounding the same

It wasn’t just the media that was caught out by the announcement that there was to be a snap election. Kent’s own MPS seemed equally perplexed with the news, with the word “surprise” being uttered rather frequently.

But party chiefs must have eventually cobbled together a “lines to use” briefing note – with the words “strong mandate” and “stable security” replacing “surprise”.

As the day wore on, our MPS were back on message. Even if it meant that they ended up all sounding the same.

The one burning question in Kent is whether the former Ukip party leader Nigel Farage will return to fight South Thanet after his bruising defeat in 2015.

Although he’s said he “probably” would, we don’t detect much enthusiasm for having a rematch with his nemesis Craig Mackinlay. Perhaps he will return for another go, but we wouldn’t be surprised if he decides to give it a pass.

The general election has rather overshadowed the county council election taking place on May 4.

It was the main focus as it represented the first key test of the Prime Minister since she assumed the role after David Cameron threw in the towel.

But the electoral main course has been delegated to the role of a starter course, whetting the appetite for a bigger political feast.

Still, the results will be carefully examined, but only in the context of what they might mean for the June poll.

Could there be non-aggression pacts between rival parties trying to halt the true blue county of Kent becoming even bluer?

The idea has been floated by the Green party in Canterbury. It has put forward the idea of a progressive alliance candidate representing Labour, the Lib Dems and the Greens.

An interesting proposition, but one we suspect won’t get very far. At least at this election.