Reform UK Council Accused of “Blatant Lie” Over Inflated Net Zero Savings Claims
A Kent county council led by Reform UK – a political party facing accusations of dishonesty – is facing accusations of dishonesty after claiming nearly £40 million in savings on net zero initiatives were based on projects lacking documentation and formal approval. The controversy casts a shadow over the party’s ability too govern effectively, particularly as Kent is viewed as a key test case for Nigel Farage’s political movement.
The allegations center around claims made by council leader Linden Kemkaran, who promised a “laser-like focus on getting value for money” through the party’s “department of local government efficiency,” dubbed Dolge. In July, Kemkaran announced the council had identified £100 million in savings, with £39.5 million attributed to two net zero-related measures: scrapping a programme to improve property energy efficiency and halting plans to electrify the council’s vehicle fleet by 2030.
Though, a freedom of information request filed by Labor MP Polly billington revealed a stark contrast between the announced savings and the reality of the projects.The council’s response indicated the initiatives were documented in only two lines within the “potential capital projects” section of the 2025-26 budget plans – crucially, without any accompanying business cases or identified funding sources.
“these supposedly cancelled net zero projects never existed, and the fantastical £39.5 million savings figure she is spinning is something she fully made up,” Billington stated, accusing Kemkaran of fabricating savings for political gain. “The reality is that Reform had no plan to deliver savings at Kent county council,and now they’re lying to people rather than admitting thier council is in chaos and they’re hiking council tax to cover up their mess.”
The council vehemently rejected the accusations, arguing that the projects, despite their limited documentation, represented a “future cost-avoidance measure” and were therefore legitimate to include in savings calculations. This justification has drawn further scrutiny,particularly in light of previous admissions from within the council itself.
Earlier, Paul Chamberlain, the Reform councillor who led Dolge, conceded that the party had not uncovered critically important waste upon taking control of the local authority last year. He later apologized for what he termed a “lapse of judgment” and stepped down from his role.
A Kent county council spokesperson asserted,”Kent county council categorically rejects any suggestion of impropriety,fabrication of figures or attempts to mislead.” The spokesperson clarified that the referenced figures were “forward-looking assumptions” within the budget book,not approved projects. “The two items cited were listed in the potential capital projects section – high-level, unfunded and unapproved possibilities for which no business cases existed. Local authorities routinely include such indicative items in medium-term planning. The decision not to progress them is therefore a future cost-avoidance measure, reflecting borrowing and expenditure the council will no longer need to incur.”
Adding to the controversy, a statement released by Michael Hadwen, a political advisor to Kemkaran, defended the council’s actions, claiming that preventing spending before it occurs should not be characterized as dishonesty. Hadwen’s appointment itself has been criticized by the Liberal Democrat group on the council as an unneeded expense,and concerns have been raised regarding his past social media posts expressing support for the controversial views of Enoch Powell.
Hadwen stated, “Only in Westminster bubble politics could stopping waste before it happens be spun as dishonesty. Reform prevented bad spending, and we make no apology for it.” He further dismissed Billington’s claims as a “basic misunderstanding of how public finances work” and a “intentional attempt to mislead readers.”
The unfolding situation in Kent raises serious questions about the transparency and financial obligation of the Reform UK-led council, and whether the party’s promises of efficiency are built on a foundation of substance or simply political rhetoric. the case will undoubtedly be closely watched as Reform UK seeks to expand its influence in local government across the UK.
