Reform UK‘s Kent Council Plunged into Chaos by Leaked Meeting, Allegations of Bullying
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A leaked video revealing a chaotic internal meeting has laid bare deep divisions within Reform UK’s flagship Kent county council, exposing a culture of infighting and raising serious questions about the party’s ability to govern effectively ahead of the general election. The recording, obtained by The Guardian, features council leader Linden Kemkaran telling councillors that the council’s £2.5bn budget could jeopardize Reform UK’s chances of success in the upcoming general election. “We are going to live or die on that budget,” she stated in the recording. “If we don’t balance the books you can forget Reform winning the next election. It’s that crucial.” The council is under pressure to avoid a full 5% increase in council tax,a move Kemkaran believes would damage the party’s image as competent administrators. “If we can avoid putting up council tax by the full 5% that is going to be the best thing that we can do to show that Reform can actually run something as big as Kent council,” she saeid,emphasizing the council’s role as a “shop window” for the party.
Internal Dissent and Allegations of Abuse
The leaked video also reveals widespread discontent among Reform councillors,with complaints of “backbiting” and being ignored by the leadership. One councillor, Paul Thomas, expressed concern that backbenchers were not adequately briefed on plans for local goverment reform (LGR), questioning whether Kemkaran was the right leader for the council.Another,Dean Burns,described a toxic atmosphere,stating,”I work my arse off in my own portfolio and I am still getting a rod up my backside every time.”
The situation appears to have deteriorated further since the August meeting, with at least eight official complaints of abuse and bullying lodged with Reform’s south-east regional director in the last three months. The party has seen internal fractures, with one councillor defecting to Ukip, another removed from a cabinet position, and at least one more recently suspended pending investigation into their conduct.
A Controversial Strategy on Local Government Reform
The recording also sheds light on Reform’s approach to national plans for local government reform,which could effectively lead to the abolition of Kent’s existing councils. Kemkaran alluded to a potentially counterintuitive strategy, suggesting that a proposal commissioned by Reform could “entirely stuff the process” by scoring highly on government metrics, despite not being the desired outcome. “It’s the cleverest way of putting a spoke in the works but still being part of the process,” she explained, a comment that reportedly left other councillors confused. Kemkaran warned that a misstep in handling LGR could be “really bad” for the council’s reputation.
Echoes of “Jackie Weaver” and a Culture of Control
The meeting itself reportedly descended into disarray, with Kemkaran at one point muting a councillor who attempted to speak out – a scene reminiscent of the viral “Jackie weaver” incident from a 2021 parish council Zoom meeting. At the start of the meeting, Kemkaran stated she welcomed feedback but insisted that members would have to “fucking suck it up” when she made arduous decisions. this comment visibly shocked many present.
Opposition Response and Future Outlook
Opposition parties have seized on the revelations, with the Liberal Democrats describing the recording as “truly shocking” and accusing the Reform management of prioritizing party advantage over public interests. Labor echoed these concerns, highlighting the council’s failure to deliver promised savings.
A Reform UK Kent spokesperson defended the administration,claiming it was “united” in its commitment to delivering value for money and fixing “30 years of Conservative mismanagement.” They pointed to tens of millions of pounds in savings and efforts to improve the council’s financial position. However, the leaked video and mounting internal divisions cast a long shadow over Reform’s ambitions in Kent, raising serious doubts about its ability to govern effectively and deliver on its promises.
