Reform UK’s primary council is facing criticism for allegedly breaking election promises by suggesting a nearly 4% increase in council tax.
Kent County Council, which was won by Nigel Farage’s party in the local elections of May 2025, aimed to showcase what a Reform government could achieve in Downing Street. Recent draft budget outlines from the council propose a 3.99% council tax hike, contradicting their previous commitment to reducing taxes.
Although below the maximum 5% limit for council tax increases without a local referendum or central government approval, Reform candidates had campaigned on pledges like “Reduce waste and cut your taxes” leading up to the election.
The Liberal Democrats at KCC accused Reform of financial mismanagement and labeled the proposed tax hike as a complete betrayal of their election vows. Leader Antony Hook expressed disappointment, emphasizing that the party had campaigned on promises of savings and tax reductions, making the current increase of nearly 4% fall short of expectations.
In a separate development, the Staffordshire council led by Reform recently proposed a 3.99% increase in bills for residents in the upcoming 2026-2027 financial year.
Responding to the criticism, Linden Kemkaran, the leader of Reform’s Kent County Council, highlighted the financial challenges inherited by the administration and the efforts to manage them. She emphasized that sound financial practices and efficiencies enabled the council to keep the proposed tax increase lower than anticipated.
In a previous incident, four Reform UK councillors were suspended after a leaked video revealed a tumultuous council meeting. In the video, Ms. Kemkaran can be heard defending her decision-making while asserting that she values discussion and feedback but ultimately has the authority to make significant decisions.
The final decision on the budget and council tax charge for Kent County Council is scheduled for February 12.