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 The Local Government Act 1972 swept away the patchwork of borough, urban and district councils, replacing them with larger district authorities.  This meant the end for the Dartford Rural District Council, which most agreed was a successful authority with a community of interest.  In 1974 Hartley, Longfield and Ash found themselves transferred to the distant authority of Sevenoaks, but that was not the original intention as is revealed in the National Archive Files (AX2/66).

The Local Government Commission looked at creating the new authorities.  They agreed with the proposal from Kent County Council for (1) the merger of Dartford Borough Council and Dartford Rural District Councils (giving an area with a population of 119,280) and (2) the merger of Sevenoaks Urban and Rural District Councils (giving an area with a population of 63,103).  However thanks to the representations from political parties and authorities they decided to divide the authorities along the Sevenoaks - Dartford constituency boundary.

Summaries of the submissions are set out below.  What is striking is the almost total lack of consultation with the general public, with it being decided by an agreement between Conservative and Labour (Parish Councils, even if nominally independent, are normally dominated by one or other political party).  To local people the claims made by the Conservative party will seem somewhat surprising.

Since 1974 Hartley and Longfield have returned to Dartford Constituency, and in 1987 Longfield Parish was transferred to Dartford Borough.  

Sevenoaks Urban District Council - said the proposed 63,000 population borough with £2.745 million rateable value was unviable.  They want new Sevenoaks district to include all of Sevenoaks Constituency, making 98,892 population and £3.99 million RV.

Sevenoaks Conservative Association - claimed there are "surprisingly good" cross country routes between Hartley, Longfield, Ash and Sevenoaks.  The link to Dartford is an "accident of nomenclature".  Allege no significant community of interest with Dartford, they claimed Swanley acts as the centre for the immediate area.  They did concede however shopping links with Gravesend and the impressionistic lack of links to Sevenoaks.

Sevenoaks Labour Party - they acknowledge some of the Dartford RDC area does look to Dartford, just as part of Sevenoaks RDC looks to Tonbridge, however they feel some cohesion might eventually be possible eg. defending green belt.  They are somewhat sceptical of some of the claims by parish councils that they want to be in Sevenoaks, and think there is a case for more consultation.

Dartford Borough Council - supports Sevenoaks Proposal.

Swanley Town Council - strongly object to going in with Dartford and will boycott elections if it happens.  Parish Meeting of 200 and petition of 3,000 all opposed Dartford option.  They say Stone, Eynsford, Farningham and Hartley Parish Councils all support their plans or do not oppose them.

Farningham Parish Council - first choice is to remain in Dartford RDC, but otherwise go with Sevenoaks.

Longfield and West Kingsdown Parish Councils - wrote to support Swanley Town Council.

Southfleet Parish Council - would prefer to be in Gravesend not Dartford.

Meopham Parish Council - like to go into Gravesend, but think there should be a single Gravesend-Dartford authority.

Eynsford Parish Council - want to go with Sevenoaks.

Wilmington Parish Council - they want original proposal for larger Dartford authority.  Parishes proposing otherwise are "not constructive".

Sutton at Hone Parish Council - want to be part of a "rural" area.

Darenth Parish Council - they agree with the original proposal, but let other parishes go to Sevenoaks if they want to.