Reform at the reins: The new regime's first 7 weeks

REFORM UK has been facing heavy criticism since taking over control of Kent County Council in last month's elections. With the cancellation or postponement of several important committee meetings, and the sudden suspension of Cllr Daniel Taylor, the party has faced increasing scrutiny.

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Nigel Farage's party took 57 of the council's 81 seats in the election on May 1, ending 28 years of Conservative dominance in County Hall, and named Linden Kemkaran as the authority's new leader. Cllr Kemkaran then requested a four-month extension to an “almost impossible” deadline for local government reform. There is a lot of confusion about what the party can do on a local level. Hedi Mehrez looks at everything that's happened so far, what power Reform UK actually has at the county level, and what it all means for local residents.

Flag removal

In one of her first moves, Cllr Kemkaran ordered the removal of the Ukrainian flag from the council chamber. She stated her focus would be “to serve the people of Kent”

A Reform UK spokesperson said that while the party has repeatedly “condemned the barbaric and evil" invasion of Ukraine by Russia, it does not consider it “appropriate” to fly foreign flags above public buildings. This means Reform-led councils plan to only fly the Union Flag, St George’s Cross, and the county flag.

June marks Pride Month in the UK, and the county council has made it clear it will not fly the rainbow flag.

Immigration in Kent

Cllr Kemkaran has pledged to work towards reducing the impact of “illegal migration” on Kent residents.

Extension plea

The county is expected to be caught up in the largest shake-up of local government across the UK since the current authorities were created in 1974. Under the current “two-tier” system, the county is served by 12 district and borough councils that share responsibility for public services with the overarching Kent County Council and Medway Council.