Now we get to see if reform can back their promises with action

So, Reform have taken control of KCC from the long-standing conservative control. I’m interested to see what they do next.

The first thing they have to do is elect a leader. That will quickly show how cohesive (or not) Reform KCC is.

Kent Online reported that KCC had to cut more than £70 million this year to make its budget balance in April. It makes claims of “If there are savings to be made, we must save them” seem a bit unlikely. One wonders where Reform hopes to find any further savings without gutting one or more important services. An obvious soft target may be library funding. If that happens, it will be a red flag that Reform cannot find any savings in a tight and overstretched budget.

The BBC reported that some Reform UK leaflets delivered in Kent featured national party messaging, including a pledge to “stop the boats”. It may upset some supporters when they learn that is not something a county council can do anything about. After all, KCC is required by law to house asylum seekers. Reform might not like it, but there is little they can do about it.

We all remember what Nigel Farage’s last party managed when it won the district council (TDC). That was a complete dog’s dinner but will this time be any better? We will have the Liberal Democrats acting as the official opposition, holding Reform to account this time. I, for one, will be keeping my eyes on our councillors.

These first few months with the new KCC will, at the very least, quite likely be interesting.

What are your thoughts? Can Reform deliver on their promises? Will they do what the Conservatives could not? More importantly, will Thanet benefit or suffer under this new administration?