The Medway Conservative Group is the Conservative Party councillors on Medway Council. Our Group was formed in April 1998, at the same time as the formation of Medway Council. We formed the administration from 2000 until 2024, when we became the official opposition.
Present and Past Leaders of the Medway Conservatives
Honorary Alderman Tom Mason, Group Leader, May 1997 until May 2000
The late Honorary Alderman Tom Mason was our first Group Leader from 1997 until 2000. He served Medway continuously for more than 40 years, having been first elected to the Frindsbury Extra ward on Strood Rural District Council in 1969 and Rochester Upon Medway City Council from 1973 to 1997. He was also elected to Kent County Council in 1977 serving until 1989. Tom then represented the Frindsbury Extra and Strood Rural wards on Medway Council from 1997 until 2015.
Honorary Alderman Mason served as Mayor of Rochester upon Medway City Council on 2 occasions, first from 1984 to 1985 and again from 1995 to 1996. He was a member of Medway Council’s Cabinet from 2001 until 2012, serving as Portfolio Holder for Key Service Planning, Corporate Services and Adult Services during that time. On 7 October 2021, Tom was awarded the title of Honorary Alderman at a special council meeting in recognition of his outstanding service.
Rodney Chambers OBE, Group Leader & Leader of Medway Council, May 2000 until May 2015
Rodney Chambers OBE served on Medway Council from April 1998 through to May 2023, and served on Gillingham Borough Council from May 1987 until May 1995. He was also a member of Kent County Council from April 1974 until May 1981. During Chambers’ time as Leader, he oversaw an enormous amount of positive change in Medway, including Medway's ambitious regeneration, which started as a result of the closure of the dockyard and other manufacturing industries during the 1980s. Following Chambers’ time as Leader of the Council, he served as the portfolio holder for economic regeneration from May 2015 until May 2023, when he retired from the Council.
Alan Jarrett, Group Leader & Leader of Medway Council, May 2015 until May 2023
Alan was first elected to Medway Council in April 1998, and was a member of the Cabinet from October 2001 until May 2023. Alan was deputy leader from 2001 to 2015 and was the leader from 2015 to 2023. Prior to becoming Leader, Alan had a career as a business consultant and has authored 11 books on country sports and the countryside, together with over 1,200 published articles in the national sporting press. He retired from the Council in May 2023.
Cllr Adrian Gulvin, Group Leader & Leader of the Opposition on Medway Council, May 2023 until May 2024
Cllr Adrian Gulvin was first elected to Rochester-upon-Medway Council in May 1983 serving until May 1995. Following a stint outside local government, Adrian was then elected to Medway Council for the first time in 2011. He has served as portfolio holder for resources, and latterly as Leader of the Opposition. Adrian continues to serve as the Member for Lordswood and Walderslade.
Cllr George Perfect, Group Leader & Leader of the Opposition on Medway Council, May 2024 until present
Cllr Perfect was first elected in May 2023, and served as shadow cabinet member for children’s services from his election until becoming our Leader in May 2024. He was also Deputy Group Leader from March until May 2024. Cllr Perfect is a public affairs account director, member of two multi-academy trusts, and was previously the chair of the Medway Youth Council and Youth Awards.