Created in the 2023 boundary review, replacing South Thanet.
A new constituency created in the 2023 boundary review.
Polly Billington
Labour PartyMs Polly Billington is the Labour MP for East Thanet, and has been an MP continually since 4 July 2024.
Vote on whether to prevent someone from qualifying as 'terminally ill' under the assisted dying bill solely because they have chosen to stop eating and drinking. The amendment would close a potential loophole where a person who is not otherwise terminally ill could meet the bill's eligibility criteria by voluntarily starving themselves.
MPs voted on the Third Reading of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill — the final Commons vote on whether to pass the assisted dying legislation in its amended form. Passing Third Reading sends the Bill to the House of Lords.
Vote on whether to prevent someone from qualifying as 'terminally ill' under the assisted dying bill solely because they have voluntarily stopped eating and drinking. The amendment aimed to close a potential loophole where a person might use self-starvation to meet the terminal illness criteria they would not otherwise meet.
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Sign up freeCoverage of East Thanet has been mixed for Polly across 40 recent articles.
Critical coverage
“Wife of abusive former councillor hits back at 'exploitative' campaign tactics” — Kent Online
Won by Lab in its first election in 2024. Covers Ramsgate, Margate and Broadstairs. Population 106,516. Median income £26K (below average).
Is this the coolest home on the market in Kent right now?
Kent Online · 9 Apr 2026
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Sign up freeMedian Income▼
£25,700
per year (HMRC 2022-23)
Mean Income▼
£33,100
per year (HMRC 2022-23)
Businesses▼
3,210
VAT/PAYE registered (ONS 2024)
Schools▼
45
24 primary, 4 secondary, 17 other
Total Income Tax▼
£203m
from 44,000 taxpayers
Median Tax▼
£2,300
per taxpayer / year
Mean Tax
£4,610
per taxpayer / year
Source: HMRC Survey of Personal Incomes, tax year 2022-23. Allocated by taxpayer residence. Covers income tax only — excludes NI, VAT, and capital gains. Sample-based estimate (~8% confidence interval).
Attainment 8▼
43.6
average score (DfE)
GCSE Pass Rate▼
60.1%
5+ GCSEs 9-4 (DfE)
3 large towns, 1 village — 105,083 total population
Source: ONS Built-Up Areas (Census 2021) + data.police.uk — crime rates are per 1,000 population (last 3 months)
Source: data.police.uk — street-level crime data aggregated from LSOA to constituency
41 councillors across 17 wards · Last elections: May 2023
| Ward | Party | Councillor | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beacon Road | Labour Party | Jenny Matterface | May 2023 |
| Labour Party | Joanne Janet Bright | May 2023 | |
| Bradstowe | Conservative and Unionist Party | George Henry Rusiecki | May 2023 |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Jill Louise Bayford | May 2023 | |
| Central Harbour | Green Party of England and Wales | Becky Wing | May 2023 |
| Labour Party | Raushan Ara | May 2023 | |
| Green Party of England and Wales | Tricia Austin | May 2023 | |
| Cliffsend Pegwell | Conservative and Unionist Party | Brenda Marilyn Rogers | May 2023 |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | John William Davis | May 2023 | |
| Cliftonville East | Conservative and Unionist Party | Barry Kenneth Manners | May 2023 |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Cedric Leslie Towning | May 2023 | |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Marc Rattigan | May 2023 | |
| Cliftonville West | Labour Party | Alan Robert Currie | May 2023 |
| Labour Party | Harry Scobie | May 2023 | |
| Labour Party | Heather Keen | May 2023 | |
| Dane Valley | Labour Party | Jack Nicholas Packman | May 2023 |
| Labour Party | Martin John Boyd | May 2023 | |
| Labour Party | Ruth Duckworth | May 2023 | |
| Eastcliff | Labour Party | Corinna Frances Huxley | May 2023 |
| Labour Party | Helen Brenda Crittenden | May 2023 | |
| Labour Party | Stephen Albon | May 2023 | |
| Kingsgate | Independent Berwick Hills Resident | Alan Munns | May 2023 |
| Margate Central | Labour Party | Helen Elizabeth Whitehead | May 2023 |
| Labour Party | Rob Yates | May 2023 | |
| Nethercourt | Labour Party | Anne-Marie Nixey | May 2023 |
| Labour Party | David Green | May 2023 | |
| Newington | Labour Party | Pat Moore | May 2023 |
| Labour Party | Rick Everitt | May 2023 | |
| Northwood | Labour Party | Debra Owen-Hughes | May 2023 |
| Labour Party | Jim Driver | May 2023 | |
| Labour Party | Will Scobie | May 2023 | |
| Salmestone | Labour Party | Katie Elizabeth Pope | May 2023 |
| Labour Party | Leo David Britcher | May 2023 | |
| Sir Moses Montefiore | Labour Party | Pat Makinson | May 2023 |
| Labour Party | Tony Ovenden | May 2023 | |
| St Peters | Green Party of England and Wales | Kevin Pressland | May 2023 |
| Green Party of England and Wales | Mike Garner | May 2023 | |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Paul Moore | May 2023 | |
| Viking | Conservative and Unionist Party | John Nichols | May 2023 |
| Labour Party | Kristian Matthew Bright | May 2023 | |
| Labour Party | Roopa Raman Farooki | May 2023 |
Source: DCLEAPIL v1.0 by Jason Leman, LEAP (Andrew Teale) & Democracy Club. CC BY-SA 4.0. Data last refreshed: 1 Apr 2026.
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lab | 17,054 | 39.9% | |
| Con | 10,083 | 23.6% | |
| Ref | 8,591 | 20.1% | |
| Green | 4,590 | 10.8% | |
| LD | 1,365 | 3.2% | |
| Ind | 563 | 1.3% | |
| Ind | 369 | 0.9% | |
| Ind | 98 | 0.2% |
Polly Billington has not appeared in national political news coverage tracked by our system. This is common for backbench MPs who focus on constituency-level work rather than national policy debates.
10 articles hidden as not sufficiently relevant to this constituency
A three-bedroom family home in St Peter's, Broadstairs, has gone on the market for £350,000 with an unusual feature: a fully-equipped pub in the cellar. The property's novelty appeal and location near Broadstairs train station make it notable in the local housing market.
St Lawrence College in Ramsgate, a 500-pupil private school, has collapsed into administration with immediate closure announced during Easter holidays, leaving parents scrambling to find alternative placements for their children. The school had faced years of financial pressure, declining boarding numbers, and cited government policy changes including VAT on fees and loss of charitable status as contributing factors.
St Lawrence College in Ramsgate, Kent has closed due to financial pressures, resulting in 166 immediate job losses and affecting 500 pupils. The private school, founded in 1879, will retain skeleton staff to support year 11 and 13 students through their exams, after failed merger talks with Dover College.
St Lawrence College in Ramsgate has collapsed into administration and closed immediately, affecting generations of pupils and staff in the community. The closure follows failed attempts to merge with Dover College and comes amid broader pressure on private schools from VAT policy changes.
Green Party leader Zack Polanski held a rally in Margate supporting candidate Rob Yates ahead of a Kent County Council by-election in Cliftonville division. The by-election was triggered after Reform UK councillor Daniel Taylor was jailed for controlling behaviour, and is being contested intensely by multiple parties with national figures campaigning.
St Lawrence College, a 147-year-old independent school in Ramsgate, has closed with immediate effect after going into administration, resulting in 166 job losses. The closure follows sustained financial pressures including declining pupil numbers, VAT on school fees, and rising operating costs, though arrangements have been made for Year 11 and Year 13 students to complete their exams.
A man was assaulted on Hereson Road in Ramsgate early on Good Friday, suffering head injuries. Two people were arrested and subsequently bailed as police investigations continue.
The article highlights growing diagnosis delays for endometriosis, with average wait times now 9 years 4 months, up from 8 years in 2020. Two women from the region (one from Margate, in East Thanet) share experiences of misdiagnosis and lengthy NHS delays, while a gynaecologist discusses awareness gaps among medical professionals.
A profile of Tomas Eriksson, chef and owner of Bar Ingo restaurant in Broadstairs, which opened in 2024 and has quickly gained recognition including a spot in the Good Food Guide and OpenTable's top 100 UK restaurants. The article highlights his journey from Sweden to Thanet, his restaurant philosophy centred on casual dining and open kitchens, and his ambitions to expand within Kent.
Annette Taylor, the wife and victim of jailed Reform councillor Daniel Taylor, has criticized Labour campaign tactics in a by-election, alleging her domestic abuse case was exploited for political gain without her consent. MP Polly Billington had previously written to defend Taylor and criticize a fellow councillor's comments, but Mrs Taylor feels the MP weaponized her story for political advantage rather than genuinely supporting her.
David Hockney's large-scale artwork has been installed at Turner Contemporary in Margate to celebrate the gallery's 15th anniversary. The work, originally created on iPad, connects the celebrated artist's practice with the gallery's location and JMW Turner's legacy.
A suspicious fire broke out in the basement of a tower block on All Saints Avenue in Margate on Monday, requiring seven fire engines to respond. No injuries were reported and no residents were evacuated, though the incident has been referred for investigation as potentially deliberate.
A national feature article recommending affordable UK coffee shops under £5, highlighting independent cafés in Thanet including Skinny Dip, Fort's, Curve Coffee Roasters, and Staple bakery as excellent alternatives to chain coffee shops. The article praises East Kent's independent coffee culture and quality offerings.
Ashford Sewing Centre, a 45-year-old independent shop in Ashford town centre, celebrates its longevity and success despite challenging high street conditions. Owner Kevin Webb attributes survival to bespoke service, quality suppliers, and customer loyalty, though he acknowledges declining footfall since the pandemic and local Park Mall closure.
An 18-year-old Broadstairs resident has been charged with attempted GBH with intent and dangerous driving after a car crashed into a building on Albion Street, injuring a man in his 30s. The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning, and the suspect has been remanded in custody pending court appearance.
A fire broke out at an abandoned shopping centre (Arlington Arcade) next to Dreamland amusement park in Margate, resulting in the evacuation of nearby residents in Arlington House. Multiple fire crews responded to the incident, which does not appear to be related to the amusement park itself.
This article explores the growing phenomenon of van-dwelling in the UK, using Margate resident Ash as a case study alongside others. It examines how younger people are turning to vehicle living due to housing costs and rental affordability crises, while noting the reality behind the Instagram aesthetic differs sharply from social media presentations.
East Kent mothers have quadrupled their rate of travelling outside the district to give birth since the damning 2022 Kirkup report revealed serious failings in maternity services at William Harvey Hospital and QEQM. Despite CQC upgrades to 'Good' in May 2025 and significant improvements by East Kent Hospitals University Foundation Trust, trust in local services remains severely damaged, with 162 mothers choosing out-of-district births in 2025 compared to 57 in 2020.
A £20 million development scheme proposes converting Margate's historic Nayland Rock Hotel and adjoining properties into 50 flats, 16 short-stay apartments, and commercial space. The heritage-led regeneration project aims to restore the Victorian landmark while ensuring its long-term viability and contribution to Margate's seafront and cultural economy.
A research study ranks UK staycation destinations, with Broadstairs in East Thanet topping the list as the best 'hidden gem' holiday spot. The article highlights Broadstairs' high Instagram presence and search metrics, positioning it as a premier coastal destination for visitors.
Planning permission has been granted for a new visitor centre at Quex Adventure Park in Birchington, near Margate, which will replace outdated temporary buildings with a modern two-storey facility including a café, retail space, and ticket office. The development is expected to enhance visitor experience and support the park's growing attractions while preserving the character of the historic estate.
Michelle Owens, a 64-year-old from Wingham near Canterbury, shares her experience of ovarian cancer being initially misdiagnosed as a pelvic prolapse, emphasizing the importance of trusting your body and seeking second opinions. She praises the care she received at QEQM in Margate and Kent and Canterbury hospitals while undergoing surgery and chemotherapy.
A 32-year-old Dover man has been charged with murder following the death of a 64-year-old woman found at a home on Khartoum Square in Whitfield on 29 March 2026. Kent Police have increased patrols in the area and are appealing for witnesses and CCTV footage to aid their investigation.
RiverOak Strategic Partners has unveiled plans to reopen Manston Airport near Ramsgate, Kent, with a £500-750 million investment and operations expected to resume in 2028 as an air freight hub. The project is progressing through regulatory approvals and public consultation, though it will generate significant noise impacts for over 26,000 local residents.
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