The Public Deserves Better

Today at Kent County Council, the Liberal Democrats and all other Opposition Groups refused to give legitimacy to a political stunt from the Reform Party.

KCC’s essential services — such as adult care, supporting children with special needs, and maintaining our highways — are getting worse under Reform since they took control of the council last May.

Instead of addressing these local issues, Reform brought forward a motion today about channel crossings—an issue that is not a KCC responsibility. The motion proposed no real action and relied on claims unsupported by evidence, some of which are demonstrably untrue.

In our view, this was a political stunt designed to influence the Cliftonville by-election and a misuse of the Council Chamber and its resources. We were not prepared to remain and legitimize a "debate" with a pre-ordained outcome.

The public deserves better.

We had tabled a constructive motion to support seafarers and mark Merchant Navy Day in September. We will seek to bring these proposals back to the County Council at the next available opportunity.

Lib Dem Councillor for Canterbury South Mike Sole said:

“During elections, KCC meetings are required to stick to the business of the council and not act in anyway that might be seen to promote one political party over another. It’s is therefore usual to defer any controversial issues. 

"Today Reform UK presented a motion to KCC to declare an ‘Illegal Migration Emergency’. In the run up to the debate opposition councillors were regularly warned and shut down whenever they mentioned the name of any political party or even questioned the Reform budget. Time and time again, the Chairman of the council stifled debate, before we had even reached this most controversial item on the agenda. 

“When the chairman again stopped the Lib Dem leader of the opposition, Antony Hook from speaking, all opposition councillors finally had enough, as they were unable to express their views against this motion, and The Liberal Democrats left the council chamber, followed by The Conservative, Green, Labour and Restore Britain groups.”

Lib Dem Group Leader Antony Hook gave his view on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reel/955276910360300