Keir Starmer has strongly criticized Reform for appointing a “white supremacist” to oversee a council while accusing Nigel Farage of creating “disorder and disunity.”
The Prime Minister condemned a series of controversies in councils led by Reform, stating that voters had been severely disappointed. Recently, Ian Cooper, the party’s council leader in Staffordshire, resigned amid allegations of racial remarks on social media.
Meanwhile, pressure mounts on Mr. Farage to dismiss Chris Parry, Reform’s mayoral candidate for Hampshire and the Solent, following his online comments suggesting that Justice Secretary David Lammy should “return home” to the Caribbean.
In response to Labour backbencher Jim Dickson’s criticism of the Reform-led county council in Kent for reducing essential services and increasing taxes, Mr. Starmer launched a scathing attack. Mr. Dickson accused Reform’s Trump-style DOGE unit of symbolizing “deluded, overconfident, gormless, and embarrassing” actions.
Mr. Dickson expressed disappointment: “Despite promises by Reform in Kent to enhance services and reduce taxes before the election, services crucial to older individuals and those with mental health conditions are being cut, and taxes are rising.”
The Prime Minister’s counter was sharp: “He accurately portrays the profound letdown suffered by his community due to Reform.” Referring to past accusations of racism against Mr. Farage during his school days, the PM highlighted the party’s actions nationwide.
“Disarray in Kent. In Hampshire, the mayoral candidate suggests that the Deputy Prime Minister, a British man of African descent born in the UK, should return to the Caribbean. In Staffordshire, the leader of Reform was revealed as a white supremacist. This is not a coincidence, as chaos and division are synonymous with the member for Clacton.”
Following the exposure of Mr. Cooper’s past social media remarks, his Reform membership was revoked, leading to his resignation as council leader and subsequent independent status.
In a separate incident, five Reform councillors in Kent were expelled in November after leader Linden Kemkaran’s private comments criticizing members were leaked.