Now that election campaigns have officially kicked off, parties have chosen the candidates who will stand for each constituency.

Here is who you can vote for in Rochester and Stroodon December 12.

GRAHAM COLLEY (LIB DEMS)

I’ve been a party member since university and know the constituency well. I live in Rochester having campaigned in many Kent elections.

I previously stood for Mid Kent (twice) and I am a former Kent county councillor for Medway South and co-chairman of the Kent Fire and Public Protection committee.

I have given years of service to the Liberal Democrats in Kent fighting for liberalism and the European ideal, fighting to help overcome the divisions in society exposed by Brexit in income, wealth opportunity and health.

Brexit has not only ripped our country apart, but has exposed a social crisis and democratic deficit.

Time devoted to Brexit should be spent on problems that politics has ignored for years.

I will dedicate myself to exposing and working to overcoming these problems.

I am determined to work hard to protect Rochester and Strood from the effects of Boris Johnson’s chaotic Conservative government.

ROY FRESHWATER (UKIP)

I am 70, married and live in Hoo.

Thank you, Rochester and Strood residents, for voting for Brexit. Sadly, Kelly Tolhurst’s support for Boris’ betrayal treaty means Medway lives will still be controlled by EU courts behind closed doors.

Medway Council, the government and Kelly Tolhurst, cannot be trusted on Medway housing and pollution policies.

There is no money in the Medway Local Plan to build 37,000 new homes needed for Medway’s increasing housing crisis or action to reduce nitrogen dioxide pollution affecting many lives and young children in Medway.

Medway needs firm budgets for new roads, housing, additional NHS beds and GPs and ever-increasing pollution in Rochester, Strood and Hoo.

Your vote for Ukip will enable me to fight for necessary Medway infrastructure funding and stand up against the Boris betrayal deal.

The British sense of belonging cannot be wished away by a phoney blue flag, national anthem and mass migration.

Ukip and Brexiteers absolutely know they voted to define our own future, take back control of our laws, borders, economy and tax - only enabled by a clean Brexit and vote on December 12 for Ukip.

SONIA HYNER (GREEN)

I spent 13 years of my working class childhood and 17 years as an adult in Medway. green beauty, juxtaposed against the rivers Thames and Medway, with their winding estuaries; home to an abundance of natural wildlife and fragile eco-systems.

Growth, traditionally from London, was welcomed by local inhabitants, as people looked for cheaper housing with an easy commute to the city. However, over the decades the landscape has changed as carbon- absorbing trees were felled, to make

way for carbon-heavy mass housing.

Local blue and red politicians discarded their natural world for profit. Today, inhabitants react against the local political bureaucrats and demand an end to its entrenched position on crippling street homelessness and overpriced housing.

A national right-wing political landscape has emerged, as the care over the environment and people, is replaced by an abstract politics that we can’t even touch.

During this time, I have seen the area grow from an essentially rural community in 1967 to it briefly achieving city status in 1982.

It is a part of the country with access to outstanding natural beauty. Shoots of a Green reality emerge benefiting our future generations. With your help the political landscape will change for the better.

TERESA MURRAY (LAB)

I am married with adult children and step-children and have two grandsons, aged 10 and 11.

I grew up in south London and came to Medway in 1979. I am a teacher who worked in local schools and was part of the senior management at MidKent College until 2014 when I left to head education in Maidstone prison. I now work part-time at Rochester Prison in family support devoting the rest of the time to my local council work.

I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, cooking, gardening, walking, reading, movies and travel.

I enjoy representing people to help them achieve the things they need and have a good reputation for doing so in my council work.

I believe Labour is offering a creative and exciting manifesto that will deliver real change and want to be an MP to make sure people in Rochester and Strood realise their potential.

CHRIS SPALDING (INDEPENDENT)

I grew up in Chatham, the eldest of three boys, and was educated at the then Winston Junior School before going on to Rochester Math.

My mother succumbed to cancer when I was just 11 so after A-levels I left to find a job to support the family and attended MidKent College and University of Kent as a mature student gaining an honours degree in law.

I’m a keen rugby player and played for Old Williamsonians, was the club bar secretary for several years and went on to qualify as a referee.

I’ve been an army reservist for more than 15 years including service overseas.

Having been homeless, I volunteer with a homeless charity helping at soup kitchens and with the overnight hostel.

I am involved in local causes and recently headed the successful campaign to prevent the closure of Stoke Junior School.

I’m standing in the election not just as a true Brexiteer to ensure those who voted leave get the voice in Parliament they deserve but also somebody who is aware of local issues, such as excessive development and lack of infrastructure need addressing. As an independent MP I can campaign passionately without fear of some political party enforcer telling me to shut up.

I will be able to vote in Parliament for the constituency and the community, not to further a political career or because a party told me to.

KELLY TOLHURST (CON)

It has been a real privilege to represent Rochester and Strood and to have been appointed Minister for Small Business in 2018.

To represent the place where I was born and have always lived has been a true honour.

I am 41 years old, live in Borstal, have a sister and two beautiful nieces.

I grew up in Upnor, went to Wainscott Primary, then to Chapter School. I worked for a large food producers whilst studying at MidKent Collage for my qualifications.

I am a yacht surveyor, and started my own business in 2002.

I got into politics by campaigning about the loss of a local rec and was elected as a ward councillor in 2011.

I love sailing and love to get out on the river whenever I can.

I think our river is our best kept secret. It has also dictated how our diverse towns have evolved. If re-elected, I will continue to build on my record of standing up for local families and our community.

I have worked to secure investment for our Towns including police, education and health, I also want to see more improvements to our infrastructure, and regeneration which benefits everyone.

To see who was elected in Rochester and Strood in 2017, click here.

For all the latest news ahead of the General Election, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Medway