It's all going Pete Tong at KCC
Mutiny in the county...
The Reform Party psycho drama at County Hall shows no sign of abating and the speed at which things are moving is so fast that this post may well have been overtaken by the time you are reading this.
With more leaks than certain water companies and more banished banshees than in your average episode of “Traitors,” the Reform Party is facing the challenge of dealing with that most dangerous of threats - dissent from within.
This could play out in a myriad of ways but whatever the outcome - if there is one - it won’t look good in terms of how voters view the Reform Party.
Here’s my take-away of the key moments of the week and where it leaves the parties:
Suck it Up
The Reform party’s leader’s clash with some of her colleagues reveals that the party remains in the grip of internal strife and warring factions which could lead to deeper political fractures. The leaked video footage to the Guardian suggests that some of the ruling party are apparently in open revolt over aspects of the leadership and are disgruntled at the fact that pledges made before the election are not likely to be fulfilled any time soon.
Up to standard?
The unbecoming language and general lack of courtesy at recent council meetings has been highlighted as undesirable by the current chairman of Kent County Council, Richard Palmer. He said some comments made at recent meetings were arguably in contravention of the Nolan principles of conduct in the public life. That he chose to intervene personally reflects his - and it has to be said, many others - disquiet at some of the behaviour of elected members
However, while there are already some formal complaints submitted to KCC’s standards committee about behaviour, there won’t be any resolution soon. That’s because each complaint is firstly examined by a panel which determines if there is a case to answer. The progress can be slow, especially if the first phase involves solicitors or legal advisers.
Pointless political stunt of the week goes to the seven Labour party MPs who have written to Nigel Farage asking him to expel the under-fire county council leader of Reform. As if Farage would open his mail, read through the request and immediately get on the phone to Reform HQ…
Losing their advantage
The distractions afflicting the Reform party in Kent mean there has been relatively little open debate about the council tax, which poses another threat to the party. The figure of a 5% hike in council tax - if proposed - is likely to trigger another bout of factional internal fighting, if only because during the election campaign, council tax rises were ruled out by Reform UK.
Under Pressure
The fate of Reform leader Linden Kemkaran rests not on her popularity - or lack of it - among members but whether she is regarded as an electoral asset by voters. She’s certainly a tough talker but her inability to pull together the party and her abrasive style make her vulnerable. Out within a year? It’s possible…