By Local Democracy Reporter Simon Finlay
The leader of Kent County Council (KCC) could face a vote of no confidence in weeks as the furore over a damaging leaked video shows little sign of abating.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) understands that a backbencher, who has asked not to be named, has already begun seeking the required number of signatures to spark the possible dismissal of Reform UK’s Linden Kemkaran.
Her position has also been described as “untenable” by the Liberal Democrat opposition group, which says she is “unfit” to lead the authority.
It comes in the wake of footage of a virtual meeting of Reform UK councillors showing Cllr Kemkaran swearing and raising her voice at Maidstone member Cllr Paul Thomas, and threatening to mute him.
In the clip, published by the Guardian, she told members they would have “to f***ing suck it up” as she explained her decision-making over forthcoming local government reorganisation.
Reform UK swept into County Hall in May with a landslide victory, winning 57 of the 81 seats. KCC, the biggest local council in the country, is now seen by the party’s hierarchy as a test bed for its ability to run a large authority.
The backbencher told the LDRS: “I am going to try and get the signatures I need to call a vote of no confidence and then I can voice the things that need to be said.”
Five signatories are required to spark a vote of no confidence in the form of a motion in a full council meeting agenda.
Within hours of the Guardian story going live, Cllr Kemkaran wrote to members saying a “thorough investigation” was underway and that she has her suspicions about who the culprits were.
The message said: “To have people on the inside, who smile to our faces, sit next to us at meetings, share jokes, anecdotes, before stabbing us in the back is very sad indeed.
“The people who did this are cowards. They are weak. They are foolish. They are incapable of displaying true courage themselves, so they look to harm those who are. They are obsessed with personal gain at the expense of group success. They cannot cope with disappointment and personal inadequacies so they seek to bring down others to their level.”
Four councillors have now been suspended pending investigation, the I paper reports.
A Reform UK spokesman said: “Councillors Paul Thomas, Oliver Bradshaw, Bill Barrett and Maxine Fothergill have had the whip suspended pending investigation, following evidence that they brought the party into disrepute.”
In the leaked video, Cllr Kemkaran was also sharply critical of other Kent council leaders, saying they displayed a “shocking level of ignorance” over local government reorganisation.
In a letter emailed to Cllr Kemkaran, Medway Council leader Vince Maple asked her to apologise for the remark, adding: “That comment, even within a private meeting, is pretty disrespectful to the 13 other council leaders of the region of Kent.”
Cllr Kemkaran has been approached for comment.
Interesting.
I’ve sat at boardroom tables where men and women in £5000 suits use similar language. It is not unusual.
What is unusual is for someone sitting at such a table to share evidence amongst those not entitled to see it. The idea that a Reform member would share it with the Guardian of all people simply beggars belief.
I don’t think Cllr. Kemkaran – the leader whom the Reform group itself elected – is the one with questions to answer. There are some who obviously need a lesson in Cabinet Government and governance!
I’m sorry Harry you can’t persil your way out of this one.
This SP of Reform was that it clean,lean,mean machine,instead what we have is the second eleven squabbling over match tactics when playing at the Spitfire ground, instead of their normal venue at the Dog and Duck.
If this video has been leaked to GB news or the Telegraph that would have been tickety boo would it?
As for suggesting that the rank and file should ‘suck it up’ demeans all those voters who voted in a democracy, not an autocratic,especially one that seems to be controlled remotely by Farage and his minions.
Every leader has to bring his or her colleagues on side,even Starmer has found that out.
As for your colleagues at the board table swearing and threatening in their £5000 suits,says more about the state of British industry than mere statistics. Two wrongs don’t make a right, Harry.
You’re just as biased. I can just imagine your comments if the very fragrant and lovely Polly had been recorded saying it.
It’s not a question of who’s saying what.
If Polly was a member of Keir’s Cabinet, he swore during an in camera meeting and somebody leaked a video, the problem would be the same.
You and George are missing the point: in camera and, cabinet responsibilities.
You can’t defend Reform on this, so whatabout Labour as its the only way you know how to argue.
I don’t argue, I debate.
Do you think disabled people should get a bus to use Ramsgate seafront?
Firstly. I’m not a Reform or any other kind of voter.
Secondly, Cabinet Government – whether Labour in Westminster or Reform in Maidstone – relies upon in camera meetings and collective responsibility.
Thirdly, the nature of the publication is irrelevant. It is the fact that the leak occurred that is the problem.
No, it’s the swearing and tempers. She’s obviously not cut out for the job, regardless of politics.
🤣🤣🤣
You obviously have little personal experience of collective decision making.
I certainly do have. And wouldn’t let someone talk to me like that.
“Firstly. I’m not a Reform or any other kind of voter.”
Your x feed shows otherwise.
Absolutely
Surprised can they spend some of that money on the listed Broken lift so disabled and elderly are NOT falling down Kent steps and mums with buggies stranded it’s a total lack of care or responsibility to pubic not to repair this the council can’t have all the funds and not do a simple thing for the public and tourists it’s a embarrassment to the Ramsgate town and residents and tourists
P- there are ways of getting to and from Ramsgate beach and the harbour which don’t involve going up or down stairs.
Very difficult for those with prams and wheelchairs. Why are you so against Ramsgate trying to at least partly return to its former glory instead of remaining broken down and decaying?
There’s a perfectly good bus service, accessible by both pushchair and wheelchair, that connects Wellington Crescent with the promenade. Free to use for disabled people.
The lift is not needed. Spending vast amounts of money on it will not return Ramsgate to its glory days.
Not that it’s any of your concern. In a recent post you said that you had had such a terrifying experience in Ramsgate’s High Street that you’d never come here again.
People should get a bus if they want to visit the promenade? Does that include those desperate for access to the disabled toilets?
Don’t they believe in free speech?
All proceedings of our local authorities should be open to all citizens.
That’s democracy – but Reforms more about silencing people; and bad language.
And so it begins!
No surprise here! It was always on the cards that Reform would implode sooner or later! They have already lost two local KCC councillors within a few months of the election.
One (Amelia Randall) has decamped to Ukip. The other (Daniel Taylor), who currently wears an electronic tag, is due to appear at Margate Magistrate’s Court on 13th November to face criminal charges, prior to a full trial at Canterbury Crown Court in May 2026.
True to Reform’s reputation for misogyny, Taylor is accused of threatening to kill his wife, subjecting her to coercive control for a number of years & sending her obscene images & threatening messages. Despite providing no representation on KCC for local residents, he is still in receipt of a full tax-payer funded KCC allowance.
Linden Kemkaren’s removal as leader following a vote of no confidence is unlikely to lead to positive change. She will doubtless be replaced by another ill-mannered, ignorant, incompetent Reform goon. Only a complete change in the political make-up of the entire KCC can achieve positive change. Let’s hope the public have woken up to the chaos engendered by Reform before the next General Election or we will face worse implosions at national level.
I applaud the person who had the good sense to provide The Guardian with evidence of Reform’s incompetence. The public who pay these goons have a right to know what goes on behind the scenes.
Where do they find their candidates? Wetherspoons?
The Gammon aisle at Aldi.
Nothing wrong with gammon, though I prefer to use our local butchers R.C. Wale & Son.
Nobody should be surprised-this is what happens when a bunch of clowns that don’t have any idea how to run anything get elected & shame on the main parties for creating a situation where it happened.
Kemkaren-who said they weren’t ready to do their job in reorganising local government & wanted another 4 months to do so, went on Meridian Tonight a month or so back & basically sat there saying climate change is a myth/scam. Does anybody expect her underlings who are mostly just a bunch of race grifters & thugs with little to no political experience to behave with any decorum, or show any intelligence when she is setting a terrible example with her foul mouth, Karen behaviour & despite her proclamations, clearly is another power mad wannabe dictator with no beliefs 7 wil just do whatever benefits them & their rich pals, like Starmer, Farage, Badenoch, Polanski, Trump etc?
Very odd that the leader is always more worried about her holidays, than actually doing the job she was elected to do. Remember she was on holiday in June when everything was in total freefall & couldn’t even be reached for comment. Again, just another one in it for personal gain & ego.
Reform KCC = No Doge gains of their own work, no ideas how to balance the budget. Tories must be laughing into their beer. Told you so comes to mind.
Why would the Tories be laughing? They are tanking in the polls & could potentially end up with 30 something MP’s in 2029 & end up as the fourth or fifth party. Reform may be even more incompetent than them & Liebour, but Farage has the ability to fool racist & gullible morons into waving flags aimlessly & voting for them.
What will be the calibre of candidates who will be put forward by Reform at the next election. I think we know already.
Almost entirely former Tories like Nadine Doories – nothing says reform more than Ex Tory
A very attractive woman.
Of course, you take a misognystic angle.
You honestly believe Nadine Dorries would be offended to be called “attractive”? A very classy lady.
Few things…
Why was the meeting remote? Reform stand against remote working. Or is it on for them and not “workers”
Why have the “leakers” been suspended and not those witnessed to be causing the shambles in the meeting?
Do people believe they won’t keep having the same issues? There is no honour among thieves after all.
I 100% agree (again).
I think I need to see a doctor!
The alleged leaker hasn’t been suspended (go see Randall’s x feed), also, whats with you stealing a username I’ve bene using on here for a year and change? (kathy please check email addresses used and see the “not impressed” with a space, isn’t myself and maybe implement a sign up feature so people can’t ape others.)
Ahhhh… I wondered why Nut Depressed said something sensible.
I am the original user not them
This has been mine for years. Cathy would be able to check this
Diddums.
Big deal, I have had a lot worse come from Directors at Thanet Council during Cabinet meetings.
Quite!
It’s how things get done behind closed doors.
I recall an altercation in the toilet facilities of the former Medway Council some 40 years ago between the leaders of the Tory and Labour groups.
40 years ago, Jim Davidson was telling “Chalky White” jokes and Bobby Ball was laughing at “Wooly Woofters”, all in the name of family entertainment. Like it or not, things have changed.
They have. Thankfully bigotry isn’t a thing anymore and bigots face quick, righteous condemnation across the board.
Except when they hate Jews.
Given the Guardian connection I very much doubt that the leaker is one of the councillors.
Far more likely a unionised K.C.C. employee from the I.T. Department! Possibly one who doesn’t like the way D.O.G.E. is going for them personally.
That’s quite a statement, blaming the IT staff at KCC for leaking the video. What foolishness Harry. It’s already a well known fact that the councillors involved are owning their responsibility in revealing the video. Puts the rest of what you argue forward as questionable when you put forward such absurd statements.
Harry webb, incorrect, this internal group meeting on zoom is run totally independently of any kcc employee. Blaming workers for the implosion of a political party is slander
KCC Reform- a splendid display of sheer ,compassionate intellectual class (not). There is a time and place for robust discussion , that does problem solve – this was just a thick washer woman squawking- displaying none of the qualities required of a leader, more like “Nigels” brown nosed bully .Best committee member was Peter Evans dog .
No, Barry it’s libel, because Harry W wrote it.
Harry is now scrabbling to find a safe place, by denying his support for Reform.We are just 5 months in to the council term, what will be left in 2029.
Makes a mockery of Kemkaran’s one people, one county,one council plan.
Bearing in mind Reform has pooh poohed diversity, and now Kemkaran is blaming misogynists within the districts which is ironic,coming from misogynist central.
She should’ve taken a leaf out of Polly’s book, and only invited people who agree with her to the meeting.
And banned comments on here.
What banned comments? Not you being an unpleasant Polly basher again is it.
What is it with you about her? She is just the usual Labour apparatchik, nothing unusual about that,as there are dozens of similar types in all parties.
The one and only article she wrote for the news site you’re reading now was only done under the condition that comments were disabled – she hasn’t written any more because Kathy quite rightly refused to bow to her demands for further articles (though I’m sure that she’ll correct me if I’m wrong).
https://theisleofthanetnews.com/2024/09/14/east-thanet-mp-polly-billington-the-winter-fuel-allowance-decision/
You’ve gone quiet, George.
In my opinion Cllr Wimble should step up to the role of leader and take control. He is definitely by far the best available and would soon stop any misbehaving by councillor colleagues
Nooo , not cllr wimble as leader , should be Peter Evans dog- best behaved during that zoom meeting ,with an higher IQ than these Reform grifters , but like them doesn’t care who it excretes on .
No PC just bored of your childish comments.Just think for a minute why Polly B might ask for comments to be turned off. Could it be because of your mania about her, you are a troll and her literary stalker. We all get it, the you don’t like her in any shape or form; well I am not wildly keen on her either, but I have the good grace to critique her policies not her personality.Why don’t you find some other form of entertainment. This article is about the foul mouthed Kemkaran, who instead of covering her embarrassment with an apology, doubles down instead by accusing other council leaders of mysogny and having her opponents suspended. What a kind and empathetic leader she is!
There were far, far, worse comments on here whenever Craig MacKinlay wrote articles – and for balance, the same with Karen Constantine. The difference is that these people cared about the area they represented.