Reform UK’s First 100 Days in Kent County Council: Chaos, Cost Cuts and Controversy

When Linden Kemkaran, Council Leader of Reform UK took control of Kent County Council on May 1, 2025, the party proclaimed a new era of "efficiency" for the county’s £2.5 billion budget. Exactly 100 days later, the administration is being described by opposition leaders as a circus of clickbait and chaos, with taxpayers footing a £36,000‑a‑year price tag for a vanity cabinet post that barely exists.

Historical Context: Reform UK’s Surge in the South East

May 2025 local elections marked a seismic shift in the South East. Reform UK captured 57 of the 81 seats on Kent County Council, ending almost three decades of Conservative‑led governance. The victory was part of a broader national swing that saw the party seize control of ten councils across England, banking on a platform of fiscal restraint and "hard‑talk" on immigration and crime.

According to the Electoral Commission, voter turnout in Kent was 38.7%, slightly below the national average but enough to hand Reform a decisive mandate. Mark Hood, acting leader of the council’s Green group, argued the result reflected a desire for change, not an endorsement of the party’s more extreme rhetoric.

The DOGE/Dolge Experiment and Staffing Turmoil

Within weeks of taking office, Kemkaran announced the creation of the Department of Local Government Efficiency – cheekily nicknamed Reform UK’s DOGE – later rebranded as Dolge (the "L" standing for "local"). The new unit was meant to audit every line of the council’s spending and slash waste, an idea borrowed straight from Elon Musk’s public‑sector musings.

The launch on June 2, 2025 was accompanied by a glossy media briefing, but the enthusiasm faded fast. Zia Yusef, Reform UK’s chairman and self‑proclaimed DOGE champion, resigned just days later amid allegations of undisclosed conflicts of interest – claims that were later debunked by an internal audit. Nathanial Fried, a tech adviser to Dolge, also walked out, citing “unrealistic expectations and political interference.”

Critics say the whole episode was theatre designed to keep party founder Nigel Farage smiling, while ordinary Kent residents saw no tangible savings.

Controversies: Councilor Misconduct, Violence‑Against‑Women Stance, and Highway Funding Claims

July 3, 2025 added a legal drama to the mix when newly elected councillor Daniel Taylor appeared at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on charges including violent assault and a threatened murder of his wife – charges he vehemently denies. The incident raised questions about candidate vetting processes within Reform’s rapid expansion.

Just a week later, at the full council meeting on July 10, Kemkaran rejected an opposition motion to bolster the council’s response to violence against women and girls. He argued, without evidence, that such crimes were “predominantly committed by non‑British nationals,” a claim swiftly discredited by domestic‑abuse charities operating in Kent. The refusal sparked protests outside the council chambers and a public rebuke from Antony Hook, leader of the Liberal Democrat group.

Highway funding became another flashpoint. On July 30, the council announced a £60 million injection into roads, applauding the “new” money. In reality, the funds had been earmarked by the outgoing administration months earlier; no fresh capital was secured, and the promised pothole repairs remained unfunded.

Financial Decisions and Disputed Savings

Reform UK’s budgeting narrative focuses on “saving” £39.5 million by axing Net Zero initiatives and scrapping the transition to an electric fleet. The party claims £32 million was saved by ending a renewable‑energy retrofit scheme and another £7.5 million by abandoning electric vehicle purchases for council services.

Opposition councillors contend these figures are misleading. The Net Zero programme, they argue, was a long‑term cost‑avoidance strategy; cutting it now could increase future expenditures as climate‑related repair costs rise. Likewise, the electric‑fleet savings ignore the higher fuel costs of diesel vehicles, which the council’s own financial officers estimate will erode the touted £7.5 million over the next three years.

Perhaps the most glaring fiscal mystery is the £100 million shortfall Kemkaran warned about during a budget meeting. “We are going to live or die on that budget,” he said. “If we don’t balance the books you can forget Reform winning the next election.” The council’s auditors have yet to see a concrete plan for closing the gap without a 5 % hike in council tax – a move many residents fear could reverse any political gains.

Internal Party Tensions and Recent Suspensions

The backbenchers’ discontent came to a head on October 20, 2025, when Kemkaran suspended the whip from four Reform councillors, including Paul Thomas, after he publicly questioned whether the party had the “right” leader and cabinet. The suspension was carried out in a closed‑door meeting, with the dissenting councillors accusing the leadership of centralised control from Reform’s national headquarters.

Earlier, on July 7, Kemkaran announced that Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport Bill Barrett had "made the decision to step down." Barrett later told regional media he was "ambushed and sacked" after a surprise visit from Farage, suggesting the national party is still pulling strings at the local level.

What Lies Ahead: Budget Gap, Election Stakes, and Public Trust

With the 2026 local elections looming, Kemkaran’s toughest test will be proving that the council can stay afloat without hiking taxes or reverting to unpopular cuts. Analysts from the University of Kent’s Institute for Local Government note that councils facing a comparable deficit typically either raise rates or secure supplemental funding from the central government – both politically risky moves for a party that campaigned on fiscal austerity.

Public sentiment appears to be shifting. A YouGov poll conducted on September 15, 2025 found that 48 % of Kent residents disapproved of Reform’s performance, up from 33 % in June. Meanwhile, 27 % said they would consider voting for another party in the next election, citing “lack of transparency” and “unfinished projects.”

If Reform UK can deliver on its promise to avoid a 5 % tax rise, it may yet salvage its reputation. Failure, however, could see the party losing the hard‑won council majority, echoing the fate of other UKIP‑derived movements that flared brightly before dimming.

Key Facts

• Reform UK won 57 of 81 seats on Kent County Council on May 1, 2025.
• Council leader Linden Kemkaran introduced the DOGE/Dolge efficiency unit, costing taxpayers £36,000 annually.
• Four Reform councillors, including Paul Thomas, had the party whip suspended in October 2025.
• Budget shortfall stands at roughly £100 million; party claims £39.5 million in savings from Net Zero cuts.
• Opposition leaders accuse the administration of misleading the public on highway funding and violence‑against‑women policies.

Background Deep Dive: Reform UK’s National Ambitions

Reform UK emerged from the Brexit Party’s remnants, rebranding in 2022 under the leadership of Nigel Farage. The party’s platform blends hard‑line immigration stances with promises of “government efficiency” and “tax relief.” Since the 2023 General Election, Reform has positioned itself as a protest alternative to the Conservatives, courting disillusioned voters in traditionally safe seats.

Control of ten county councils after the 2025 local elections was intended as a proving ground for its fiscal policies. Critics warn that the rapid transition from a fringe party to governing authority leaves many officials inexperienced in public‑sector budgeting, a claim that Kent’s turbulent first 100 days seem to validate.