Reform UK's flagship local authority is embroiled in a significant controversy after voting to spend tens of thousands of pounds of public money on political assistants, despite facing a severe budget deficit and campaigning on a platform of fiscal prudence.
‘Cut Waste’ Pledge Contradicted by Adviser Appointments
The row centres on Kent County Council, where Reform UK councillors, led by party figurehead Nigel Farage, recently won control, ending a 30-year Conservative majority. In a council meeting on Thursday, members voted 45 to 26 to approve the hiring of political assistants, a move critics label as blatant hypocrisy.
This decision follows a similar controversy in Warwickshire in July, where Reform councillors voted to spend £150,000 on advisers. Both councils are grappling with financial crises. Kent alone faces a projected overspend of £46 million.
Controversial Figure Appointed Amid Internal Strife
A leaked recording from a private meeting of Kent's Reform councillors revealed that one of the appointed assistants is Michael Hadwen, a former director of campaigning and training at Reform UK's head office. The recording depicted councillors wearing festive elf hats as they were informed of the appointment by group leader Maxwell Harrison.
Hadwen's past social media activity has attracted scrutiny. He has expressed support for the controversial immigration views of Enoch Powell, stating "Enoch was right, he was just before the times." Furthermore, in the wake of the 2018 Salisbury poisonings, he posted that "Russia is not my enemy" and that the UK should "be working with them."
The appointment was pushed through as Reform maintains a slim majority on the council, following internal purges. Tensions within the group were exposed earlier by the Guardian, which published footage showing councillors squabbling and being told to "fucking suck it up" by their then-leader, Linden Kemkaran.
‘Political Apparatchik’ or Essential Support?
Reform UK has utilised a clause in the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, which permits councils to appoint up to three political assistants with salaries reaching £49,282 plus pension contributions.
Liberal Democrat group leader Antony Hook launched a fierce critique, accusing Reform of "wanting to spend public money on a political apparatchik to tell them what to do." He highlighted the council's financial woes and the concerning nature of the views expressed by the appointed individual.
In defence, a Reform UK Kent spokesperson stated the role was "entirely proportionate" and would be "cost neutral." They argued that political assistants are a normal part of local government, citing the larger budgets and numerous advisers employed by central government departments and other councils like Lib Dem-controlled Gloucestershire.
The episode presents a significant challenge for Reform UK's narrative of being a disruptor party focused on cutting wasteful spending, as it now manages the practical and political complexities of local government.
