"Farage's Reform Betrays Election Promises as Council Tax Rises Shock Residents"
Nigel Farage's Reform UK has been accused of breaking election promises to cut council tax after several councils it controls, including the party's flagship local authority in Kent, announced significant increases. The opposition Liberal Democrat group in Kent has described the move as a "total betrayal" of voters who received leaflets pledging to freeze or cut council tax.
The draft budget for Kent county council proposes a 3.99% increase in council tax, far short of the 5% figure anticipated when Reform took office last year. The Liberal Democrat group claims that this represents a significant departure from the party's campaign promises and will result in an average Band D household paying £67.47 more per year.
Similar increases have been proposed by other councils controlled by Reform, including Derbyshire, North Northamptonshire, West Northamptonshire, and Leicestershire. The opposition Labour group has also criticized Reform for its financial mismanagement, stating that the party's decision to increase council tax will result in overspending and deficits in future budgets.
Experts have pointed out that few councils have managed to achieve a significant reduction in council tax, suggesting that Farage's promise of efficiency was overhyped. The opposition Liberal Democrat group has called on Reform to be transparent about its finances and to provide more information about the budget details.
The move has also sparked criticism from some former Reform councillors who are now working as independents. They claim that the party is struggling to balance its ambitions with the harsh realities of running a council budget.
Reform's leader, Linden Kemkaran, has defended the party's decision, stating that it reflects the progress made since Reform took over the council last year and that it includes significant savings and income. However, opposition councillors remain unconvinced, arguing that the increases represent a betrayal of voters' trust.
The move has also raised questions about Farage's leadership style, with some experts suggesting that the party's internal divisions are causing instability and undermining its ability to deliver on its promises.
Nigel Farage's Reform UK has been accused of breaking election promises to cut council tax after several councils it controls, including the party's flagship local authority in Kent, announced significant increases. The opposition Liberal Democrat group in Kent has described the move as a "total betrayal" of voters who received leaflets pledging to freeze or cut council tax.
The draft budget for Kent county council proposes a 3.99% increase in council tax, far short of the 5% figure anticipated when Reform took office last year. The Liberal Democrat group claims that this represents a significant departure from the party's campaign promises and will result in an average Band D household paying £67.47 more per year.
Similar increases have been proposed by other councils controlled by Reform, including Derbyshire, North Northamptonshire, West Northamptonshire, and Leicestershire. The opposition Labour group has also criticized Reform for its financial mismanagement, stating that the party's decision to increase council tax will result in overspending and deficits in future budgets.
Experts have pointed out that few councils have managed to achieve a significant reduction in council tax, suggesting that Farage's promise of efficiency was overhyped. The opposition Liberal Democrat group has called on Reform to be transparent about its finances and to provide more information about the budget details.
The move has also sparked criticism from some former Reform councillors who are now working as independents. They claim that the party is struggling to balance its ambitions with the harsh realities of running a council budget.
Reform's leader, Linden Kemkaran, has defended the party's decision, stating that it reflects the progress made since Reform took over the council last year and that it includes significant savings and income. However, opposition councillors remain unconvinced, arguing that the increases represent a betrayal of voters' trust.
The move has also raised questions about Farage's leadership style, with some experts suggesting that the party's internal divisions are causing instability and undermining its ability to deliver on its promises.
anyway back to kent council tax, 3.99% increase is kinda harsh i mean who expects to pay that much more in council tax every year? maybe reform uk should just stick to what they're good at: complaining about the eu 
I'm not surprised tbh, Reform UK's all talk and no action when it comes to keeping their promise of cutting council tax. It's like they think voters just magically forget what was promised during the election campaign. 
I mean, where did all this money even come from? It can't be the savings they claimed it was...there has to be more to the story. 
What's really going on behind closed doors?
they're breaking election promises left & right! council tax is supposed 2 be frozen or cut but instead its goin up by 3.99% in kent alone thats like £67.47 more 4 the average band d household! 
Linden kemkaran's def tryna spin this but its hard 2 see how it gets better when council tax goes up for everyone
its gonna b interesting 2 c how this plays out
. I'm not surprised tho', we all know they're struggling with their finances 
. It's like, if you can't keep your own house in order, how can you govern? 
My mate lives in Kent and he was really excited to vote for Reform last year 
but now it seems like just another bunch of empty promises 
. What do u think tho'? Do u support council tax increases or think they're unfair? 
] Council Tax increase is like a joke... Reform UK just pulled a fast one on the voters! [GIF of a person looking shocked with a "What did I just see?!" expression 
]
] Farage's leadership style is like a game of musical chairs... but instead of chairs, it's council tax increases 
this is so disappointing. reform uk was all about change, but it seems like they're just copying the system 
. 3.99% increase in council tax? that's not exactly what i'd call a 'reform' 
.
. I mean, who thought it was a good idea to promise the world and then deliver a watered down version? 
. And what's with all these 'savings' and 'income'? Can someone explain that to me in simple terms, please? 
. I'm so tired of politicians who can't even keep their word... it's like they think voters are stupid or something 
.
. Progress? Is that code for "we can't deliver on our promises" 
. Farage and Reform promised to do one thing and now they’re doing another. That’s not leadership, that’s just broken promises 
.
and btw, who thought increasing council tax was a good idea? 
... I mean, they're supposed to be all about cutting costs and being efficient, but instead they're just increasing council tax by 3.99% - that's not exactly what I'd call a major shake-up 
... I mean, who wants to pay more in taxes? It's just not fair, especially when the opposition party was clear about their intentions before the last election.
).
. I feel bad for Kent residents who were actually expecting some relief from their tax bill 
.
It's not a bad idea to increase council tax a bit if it means you can actually afford to fund services and improve the community. 
The opposition is being super dramatic about this one... I mean, 3.99% isn't that bad!