March 2025: Reform Said They Would Cut Kent Taxes. February 2026: Reform Raise Kent Taxes.

Lib Dem Kent Deputy Leader Richard Streatfeild explains the 2026 Kent Reform budget of broken promises.

"In May, when Reform were elected to the County Council, they made two promises. To cut taxes, and to find savings to improve services.

"Today the Council plans not to cut taxes, but to raise your taxes by 4%. And they haven't found savings either. That's two broken promises in less than a year.

"On Thursday, Kent will debate a budget of broken promises. But it gets worse.

"Reform have increased the deficit by £36 million this year.

"Their budget plans to use our dwindling reserves to pay for their incompetence. That's smashing the piggy bank to pay for the spiralling debt, that they have let get out of control.

"They are going to refuse to increase the fees that they give to care homes, putting care homes at risk when we need them more than ever before. Nine care homes in Kent went bust last year. How many more will follow this year?

"The list sadly goes on. Reform's incompetence will touch all of us, but especially the most vulnerable.

"Potholes, charges for bus services for children, Special Education Needs in schools, the environment, our coastal communities, all not funded.

"In September, Reform outlined a set of strategic priorities in Kent. In February, they are not funding any of them.

“That's not responsible government. The Liberal Democrats say Reform must change course before its too late.”