Reform UK’s Local Successes Strained by Internal Conflict and Legal Challenges

Reform UK’s surge in local government has raised hopes that the party could capture more seats than any other in the next general election, potentially positioning it to form a government. The optimism stems from a series of opinion polls released since May and the party’s recent takeover of 10 English local authorities, including six of the 21 county councils. In all, Reform secured 677 seats—41 % of the total contested—making it the largest force on the ballot.

However, the party’s rapid rise has not been without turmoil. A leaked video from last month shows Kent’s Reform leader, Linden Kemkaran, berating fellow councillors from her own party and telling them to “suck it up” if they disagreed. The footage, which quickly went national, highlighted deep tensions within the local administration of Kent County Council, a council that Reform claims is its flagship.

The incident drew sharp criticism from local Labour MPs, who called Kemkaran “unprofessional,” and from Liberal Democrat and Green groups, which accused the council of descending into chaos. Five Reform councillors in Kent were expelled amid the fallout, yet Kemkaran has retained her leadership role and insists that “business as usual” continues.

Reform’s own MP, Danny Kruger, has described the party as a “pirate ship with an ill‑disciplined crew,” but added that its “powerful ship with a dangerous broadside” could be transformed into a “royal navy ship” ready to serve the nation.

The party’s local achievements are mirrored in its national messaging. Shortly after the local election victories, Nigel Farage addressed a packed rally in Birmingham, promising to “send in the auditors, get rid of fraudulent contracts, and cut spending” if Reform won.

In a bid to showcase its commitment to efficiency, Reform launched the “DOGE” unit—named after Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency—tasked with deploying software engineers, data analysts, and forensic auditors to scrutinise council spending. The unit has faced legal hurdles in accessing sensitive data, and to date it has only visited a handful of the councils under Reform control.

As the party looks ahead to the next general election, the combination of local triumphs, internal discord, and regulatory obstacles will be closely watched to gauge whether Reform can translate its local momentum into a credible national governing mandate.