The embattled leader of Kent Council Council has survived a back bench challenge for his job.

Cllr Roger Gough won emphatically by 44 votes to 17 against Cllr Sarah Hudson, with all 61 Conservative councillors taking part.

Members voted at this morning's annual meeting at County Hall in Maidstone.

Cllr Hudson, who represents Malling rural east, declared her hand this week saying that Cllr Gough needed to include councillors outside the cabinet circle in day-to-day business.

It is a sentiment echoed by other backbenchers who point to a "bunker mentality" in the executive, especially when the cash-strapped authority is struggling to balance the books in the face of a government funding squeeze.

In July, Cllr Harry Rayner said he would stand against Cllr Gough, although he did not publicly explain why.

The member for Malling West later withdrew from the race.

Cllr Rayner was subsesquently promoted to deputy cabinet member for finance in a mini-reshuffle of the top table.

After today's vote, one Gough loyalist said: "These attempted leadership challenges are simply a distraction to the business of running the county.

"We're facing huge challenges in finding cuts all over the place and that is probably of far greater importance right now."

Councillors are worried about how KCC finances, possible tip closures and potholed roads will play with the electorate in 2025, when KCC goes to the polls next.

One senior back bencher confided after today's vote: "Roger has to listen more. He might have seen off the challenge this time - what about next October's annual meeting?

"If Sarah had run him a bit closer, who knows what might have happened next."

Cllr Hudson believed she had the support of 24 members but in the end fell well short of the 31 she needed to win.

Liberal Democrat group leader at KCC Anotny Hook called for an end to the "Conservative soap opera at County Hall".

At the same meeting, Cllr Alan Ridgers (Gravesham) was selected to become KCC vice chairman in 2024 and will assume the chairmanship of the authority the following year.