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Independent councillors do not belong to a political party. If there are two or more independent councillors, they can join together in a formal group as this entitles them to benefits of group status such as seats on council committees. However, there is no requirement for them to form a group if they do not wish to do so.

Anyone can stand for election as an independent candidate but it is typically more difficult to win against a political party. As such, most of the independent councillors who have served on Medway council were originally elected as a candidate for a political party. Since 1998, only six individuals have been elected as independent candidates, and only three of those had not previously been elected to the council for a political party.

There are currently four independent councillors who have decided not to sit as part of a formal independent group.

All dates shown reflect unbroken terms of office as independent members.