Ashford MP Sojan Joseph (Labour), sparked a heated debate during Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) on Wednesday, pressing Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the mismanagement of the Reform UK-led Kent County Council (KCC).
Joseph highlighted the risks to public safety posed by the ongoing turmoil at the council, which has faced internal conflicts, expulsions, and suspensions following a leaked video showing council leader Cllr Linden Kemkaran swearing at members and telling them to “suck it up” regarding controversial decisions.
Seven Labour MPs, including Joseph, wrote to Reform UK leader Nigel Farage urging Kemkaran to resign, calling her conduct “deeply unprofessional” and emphasizing that “the people of Kent deserve better.”
Prime Minister Starmer condemned the council as a “flagship” example of Reform UK incompetence, stating:
“Kent County Council was supposed to be the blueprint of what Reform would deliver across the country. Now we see cutting local services, raising council tax, and failing to protect the public.”
The discussion was highlighted on X (formerly Twitter) by Best for Britain:
@BestForBritain:
@sojanuk: “Reform chaos is a risk to public safety.”
PM: “Kent County Council was supposed to be the blueprint for what Reform would deliver across the country: Cutting local services, raising council tax, and failing to protect the public.”Watch on X: https://x.com/i/status/1988583930396569609
Link
or Watch full PMQ on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bdfNGzpNEU&list=PL40441042C458B62B&index=1&t=730s
(Move to 12.16min for Sojan Joseph’s statement)
By raising these issues in Parliament, Sojan Joseph has positioned himself as a strong advocate for accountability and effective governance in Kent, shining a national spotlight on the impact of local council mismanagement.
(Image credit: Parliament tv)
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