Christopher Martin chris.martin@knc.kongsberg.com
anders brynilsen
jan.fredrik.aasmundtveit
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage says his UK Reform party is “going all out” to win seats at Kent County Council (KCC) next May after two by-election victories.
Mr Farage said the results were testament to Reform’s new, professionalised approach.
The seats on Dartford Borough Council and Kent County Council were previously held by the independent Swanscombe and Greenhithe Residents’ Association (SGRA) Peter Harman, who died in September.
The independent group were widely tipped to hang onto the seats.
The Conservatives were beaten into fourth place at KCC and fifth at Dartford Borough Council in the polls held yesterday. Tory backbencher Cllr Sarah Hudson said ‘This says that Reform UK is going to win a hell of a lot of seats next May at the election.’
The result will bring new worries to the Conservative ranks at KCC who have been hopeful of defying expectations and hold onto power at County Hall.
Mr Farage said “Obviously I am very pleased with the results from Kent. It is all the more pleasing because we did it from a virtual standing start and it reflects our new, professionalised approach. Now we are going all out for Kent County Council next May and I will be addressing a dinner in Hythe tonight (Nov 22) to that effect.’
