Just over 25 weeks after Nigel Farage hailed the local election victory in Kent as one of the most significant days of his career, the party's governance in the county is mired in factionalism, farce and chaos. A leaked recording of an incendiary meeting has exposed deep divisions, with council leader Linden Kemkaran telling dissenting colleagues they had to "fucking suck it up" if they did not like her decisions.
The leak triggered a wave of recriminations, leading to the suspension of four councillors. Deputy leader Richard Tice accused dissidents of "treachery" and demanded that all Reform councillors sign an "oath of loyalty" to flush out critics. However, by Wednesday night, only 37 of the 50 remaining councillors had signed, with others awaiting the outcome of a disciplinary panel.
The immediate fallout saw a key committee meeting on school transport appeals cancelled because the chair and another member, Maxine Fothergill and Paul Thomas, were among those suspended. Thomas had clashed with Kemkaran in the leaked footage. A Reform UK spokesperson said the meeting was not quorate.
Further controversy surrounds Kemkaran's failure to declare her husband's role as director of digital transformation at East Kent's health authority in her register of interests. The omission was only corrected in late September after being highlighted by an official. A council spokesperson blamed an "administrative oversight", but opposition politicians are calling for her resignation.
Liberal Democrat chief whip Mark Ellis said: "It is surprising in the extreme that Ms Kemkaran did not declare her husband's senior role in the NHS until four months after her election. She is putting party interest ahead of the public, using grossly unprofessional language towards her own colleagues, and losing a number of councillors in just six months."
The turmoil marks a stark contrast to the victory celebrations earlier this year, when Farage arrived by helicopter for a party with champagne and fireworks. With Farage silent on the row and focused on national campaigning, the "shop window" for Reform's governing prowess appears to be shattering.
