When the boroughs of Rochester-upon-Medway and Gillingham merged in 1998 to form a single unitary authority, the parliamentary constituency of Medway only covered part of the borough. By the time the 2010 general election came around the seat was renamed to more accurately reflect the area of Rochester and Strood which it now covers Other parts of the Towns are covered by two constituencies, Chatham and Aylesford and Gillingham and Rainham, Since 2015, Rochester and Strood has been represented by Conservative Kelly Tolhurst after defeating the sitting member Mark Reckless who famously defected…