Kent County Council – won by Nigel Farage’s party at the May 2025 local elections – has promised to be a ‘shop window’ for what Reform government could do in Downing Street
Reform UK’s flagship council has been accused of betraying election promises as it proposed a council tax hike of almost 4%.
Kent County Council – won by Nigel Farage’s party at the May 2025 local elections – has promised to be a “shop window” for what Reform government could do in Downing Street. Draft budget plans from KCC this week reveal a proposal for a 3.99% hike in council tax – despite pledging to cut tax before last year’s vote.
It is slightly below the maximum of 5% councils are able to hike council tax by – without a local referendum or permission from central government. But in the run-up to the election, election material from Reform candidates included statements of intent like: “Reduce waste and cut your taxes.”
The Liberal Democrat opposition at KCC accused Reform of financial mismanagement and a “total betrayal” of election promises. Leader Antony Hook said: “Reform stood for election promising to make savings and lower the burden on taxpayers. Today, that promise has been utterly broken. They are boasting about a nearly 4% increase instead of 5%, a difference of just 33p per week for the average Kent family. It’s a poor outcome given the hype and promises made at the election and for the last nine months.”
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Just days ago it was also reported the Reform-led Staffordshire council had proposed increasing bills for residents by 3.99% for the 2026-2027 financial year.
Reform’s Kent County Council leader Linden Kemkaran said in a statement: “When this administration took office, the Council was facing a very serious financial situation. KCC was saddled with more than £700 million of debt, around £84,000 was being spent every day on interest alone, and pressures on vital services were continuing to grow.”
She added: “A key element of the draft budget proposals is the proposal for the council tax charge in 2026. Through sound financial management and efficiencies, the council has been able to keep the proposed increase below the level previously expected.”
Last year four Reform UK councillors were suspended from the council after a leaked Zoom video showed a chaotic meeting of the council. Council leader Ms Kemkaran could be heard telling members she is “not a dictator”.
She told them: “I am not a dictator or an autocrat. I like feedback, I like to discuss. I like to hear what everybody thinks. However, when it comes to making the really big decisions, and LGR [local government reorganisation] is one of those really big decisions.
“Sometimes I will make a decision that might not be liked by everybody in the group. But I am afraid you are just going to have to f****** suck it up.” One member on the call could be seen gasping at the comments. It has sparked comparisons to the infamous Handforth Parish Council meeting during the pandemic that turned Jackie Weaver into a viral sensation. KCC will determine its final budget and council tax charge on February 12.