Labour has released a dossier accusing Reform UK of causing 'chaos and incompetence' in the 12 councils it controls, ahead of Thursday's local elections. The document highlights scandals, broken promises, and service cuts, including council tax rises despite campaign pledges to cut taxes.
In Derbyshire, Reform leaflets promised to 'cut your taxes', but the council raised council tax by 4.9%. Similarly, in Kent, Reform took control after vowing to 'reduce waste and cut your taxes', yet announced a 3.99% rise. Nigel Farage claimed the tax-cut pledge was national, not local, and said he 'never promised cuts in council tax'.
Lincolnshire County Council leader Sean Matthews criticised a previous 2.99% rise as wasteful, but his Reform administration is now imposing the same increase. The dossier also notes infighting in Kent, where four councillors were suspended after leaked footage showed leader Linden Kemkaran telling members to 'f***ing suck it up'.
Labour's Communities Secretary Steve Reed warned voters: 'Don’t risk the chaos and incompetence that comes with Reform councils. Nigel Farage’s broken promises have seen town halls hike tax, slash services, and leave residents feeling short changed.'
Reform councillors have also faced scandals: Leicestershire roads chief Charles Whitford resigned after claiming immigrants were trying to make the UK a 'Muslim state', and deputy leader Joseph Boam was sacked. In Staffordshire, former council chief Ian Cooper was expelled for racist social media posts, and a third leader was elected after his successor resigned.
