Nigel Farage’s Reform UK has taken action against four councillors today for tarnishing the party’s reputation. The decision followed the exposure of a tumultuous internal meeting of Kent council via a leaked Zoom video, where members were directed to accept decisions, as reported by the Guardian.
The leaked recording from the August meeting unveiled deep divisions within Reform’s key council, seen as a showcase for a potential Reform UK administration at Westminster. During the session, council leader Linden Kemkaran emphasized her preference for open discussions but asserted her authority in crucial decisions, such as the local government reorganization.
In response to the leaked video, Reform UK announced the suspension of four Kent councillors, including Paul Thomas, whom Ms. Kemkaren threatened to silence during the meeting. Mr. Thomas raised concerns about the leadership and cabinet composition in Kent.
A spokesperson stated that Cllrs Paul Thomas, Oliver Bradshaw, Bill Barrett, and Maxine Fothergill had their party privileges suspended pending an investigation due to actions that brought disrepute to the party.
Ms. Kemkaran conveyed her disappointment to her councillors, condemning the actions as cowardly and harmful to the group’s success. She stressed the need for a thorough investigation into the leaked video.
Reform UK gained control of Kent County Council by securing 57 out of 81 seats in the May local elections, disrupting a 30-year Tory dominance. The Labour party criticized the situation, labeling it as chaotic and reflecting poorly on a potential Nigel Farage government. They emphasized the need for a trustworthy party like Labour to address issues and provide stability.
Labour MP Sojan Joseph expressed dismay over the situation, highlighting the disappointment felt by constituents in Ashford and across Kent. He criticized Reform UK for failing to deliver on promises, leading to increased council tax and the suspension of multiple councillors. Joseph concluded that the party’s experiment had faltered, revealing its inability to offer real solutions and reliability.
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