Reform UK Leader Criticises Government’s Devolution Decision for Kent

Kent County Council’s new leadership has expressed frustration with the government’s decision to exclude Kent and Medway from its Devolution Priority Programme. The rejection came on 5 February 2025, following a joint bid by KCC and Medway Council in January for devolution status with an elected mayor.

In a statement, the council leader criticised the government’s approach, suggesting that Westminster’s decision prioritised administrative criteria over what would genuinely benefit Kent residents. The leader highlighted the contrast between the council’s previous Conservative administration and the current Reform UK-led council, which took control following significant electoral changes in May 2025.

Election Results and Leadership Change

Reform UK secured a historic victory in the May 2025 Kent County Council election, winning 57 of the council’s 81 seats. This marked the end of Conservative control, which had dominated the council since 1997. The Conservatives’ representation dropped dramatically from 57 seats to just 5. Linden Kemkaran, appointed as the new council leader in May 2025, has since led the authority’s push for greater local autonomy through devolution.

Government’s Reasoning

The government’s decision to reject the Kent and Medway devolution proposal focused on specific structural concerns. Minister Jim McMahon stated that the proposed combined authority presented governance challenges due to population disparities between Kent and Medway councils. The government indicated this would have created imbalanced decision-making structures within the combined authority.

Moving Forward

Despite the devolution setback, local government reorganisation remains on the agenda for Kent. The government has asked Kent’s council leaders to develop proposals for merging the current two-tier council system into larger single unitary authorities, intended to streamline local governance.

The government has indicated that devolution remains a possibility for Kent and Medway in future, provided concerns about the proposal’s structure can be addressed. Officials stated they remain committed to supporting the region on a path towards devolution when circumstances permit.

Key Takeaways

• Reform UK’s May 2025 election victory ended 28 years of Conservative control at Kent County Council
• Kent and Medway’s devolution bid was rejected on 5 February 2025 due to governance concerns over population disparities
• Local government reorganisation proposals will continue to be developed for the region
• The government has not ruled out future devolution opportunities for Kent

What This Means for Kent Residents

The rejection of devolution status means Kent will not receive the funding and decision-making powers that would have transferred from central government under a devolved structure. However, residents can expect ongoing discussions about local government reorganisation, which could reshape how councils operate across the county.