KCC opposition leader Antony Hook has attacked “pantomime” behaviour from the ruling Reform group and questioned how popular the party actually is in the county.
Appearing on this week’s Kent Politics Podcast, the Lib Dem said he thinks Reform councillors are showing a “bit of arrogance” because they overestimate the scale of their May 1 win.
Describing it as “wide but shallow”, he said the party won 57 seats after receiving just 37% of the overall vote – the lowest total ever for a party taking control of the council.
And although he praises how members are running the various KCC committees, he questioned their behaviour in giving their leader, Linden Kemkaran, rapturous standing ovations “every time she speaks”.
The former MEP describes his role as opposition leader as probably the most important he has ever had, and says KCC is facing major financial problems with children’s and adult services.
Saying he thought the local election would end in a hung council, he is confident the Lib Dems would make progress when the next poll is held, under a new local government system.
Also discussed on the episode were the decision not to scrap tips across the county, roadwork woes in Medway, and last weekend’s anti-immigration protests in Dover.
The weekly podcast brings together Simon Finlay, Robert Boddy, and Dan Esson, of the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Simon covers Kent County Council, while Robert reports on Medway Council and Dan specialises in borough and district councils.
You can listen to the podcast at IM Listening, or download it from Apple Podcasts, Spotify and TuneIn – just search for Kent Politics Podcast.
Readers can also keep up-to-date with the latest political news on our dedicated Kent Politics page on KentOnline or sign up for our weekly politics newsletter.
