Kent Opposition Leader Slams Reform’s “Disgraceful” Plot to Silence Scrutiny
Antony Hook, Lib Dem Leader of the Opposition at Kent County Council, has condemned a series of "anti-democratic" moves by the Reform administration designed to gag opposition parties and shield the ruling group from challenge.
In a meeting of the Selection and Member Service Committee last Thursday, Reform members voted to slash the time allowed for opposition leaders to respond to the Council Leader’s reports. Under the new proposals, the Leader of the Opposition’s response time will be cut from six minutes to just five.
By contrast, the Leader of the Council, Linden Kemkaran, will retain a total of 16 minutes of speaking time (a 10-minute report and a six-minute right of reply).
Antony Hook, Leader of the Opposition, said:
"This is a failing administration that is clearly terrified of scrutiny. They are trying to shave minutes off the clock to prevent us from airing the views of the people of Kent. It is a disgraceful move that strikes at the heart of local democracy.
"The excuse that this is to 'save time' in a meeting that lasts all day is laughable—especially when they are simultaneously proposing to add the Lord's Prayer and the National Anthem to the proceedings. Reform seemingly wants less discussion about policy and more prayers and songs. It is a bizarre and desperate approach to running a local authority."
The committee also saw Reform members block a review of the "call-in" process, which allows councillors to challenge and review major decisions before they are implemented. Despite the proposal aiming to make the Scrutiny Committee more effective, Reform members, including Council Leader Linden Kemkaran, voted the review down without offering any public explanation.
Further concerns have been raised over Reform’s move to rewrite the Council’s Constitution. The administration voted to delete the Council’s stated purpose to "improve the quality of life of the people of Kent," replacing it with a narrower, more bureaucratic focus on the "delivery of services... to enhance social and economic well-being."
Antony Hook added:
"Reform members seem to be under instruction to dismantle the transparency of this council, yet they are either unable or unwilling to explain why. Changing the very definition of the Council’s purpose to remove 'quality of life' is a chilling indication of their priorities. They are opting for a closed-door culture where the public’s voice is diminished."
The proposals will go before the Full Council for a final vote on 21 May 2026. If pushed through, the new restrictions on debate and scrutiny will take effect from July.
The move follows a series of electoral setback for Reform in Kent. After losing the recent county by-election in Cliftonville, Reform made no progress in the local election on 7 May in Tunbridge Wells where the Liberal Democrats increased their majority on the Borough Council.
The Selection and Member Service Committee met on Thursday 7/5/26 to discuss changes to the Constitution and meeting procedures.
Current rules allow the Leader of the Council 10 minutes to report and 6 minutes to reply. The Leader of the Opposition (Liberal Democrats) currently has 6 minutes to respond, with other groups having:
Restore 5 mins
Cons 4 mins
Green 4 mins
Lab 3 mins
Reform's changes would reduce each by 1 min, which is around a 25% decrease in opposition time to challenge the Reform leader.