THE LEADER of Worcestershire’s Conservative Group, Coun Adam Kent, has been suspended pending an investigation.
It comes after the county’s Conservatives struck a deal with the Greens, independents and Liberal Democrats ahead of today’s meeting to vote in a new leader of Worcestershire County Council.
We reported on the meeting earlier today and about how Coun Alan Amos (Reform UK) and Coun Matt Jenkins (Greens and Independent) were both put forward for the role.
Coun Amos was nominated and seconded by his Reform UK party colleagues and, after Coun Jenkins was nominated by Coun Dan Boatright-Green (Liberal Democrat), the nomination was seconded by Coun Kent.
The move and subsequent vote saw members of the Greens, independents, Liberal Democrats and Conservatives, prevent Coun Amos from Reform UK (the largest group with 23 seats) being elected as leader.
And the support meant Coun Jenkins obtained the simple majority needed and will now take up the role.
In a rousing speech during the meeting condemning Reform UK’s actions on Worcestershire County Council over the past year, Coun Kent criticised the ‘public resignations’, ‘internal feuding’, ‘leadership coups’ and ‘councillors walking away’.
He added: “This council has been better known for drama rather than delivery.
“The public are watching from afar and thinking: ‘if this is what Government is all about, it has to change’.”
He added Reform had promised to reduce tax and cut waste but had then ‘voted through a large council tax increase and the finances had deteriorated further’.
And he highlighted Reform UK leader Nigel Farage’s comments where he described Worcestershire County Council as a ‘basket case’.
Speaking in favour of Coun Jenkins, he praised his seriousness, consistency and willingness to work constructively with other parties for the good of Worcestershire.
Coun Kent added it was time for mutual respect between the political groups and time to put the county before party politics.
Anger over alliance
Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice MP angrily hit back at the decision, saying the message from Worcestershire is clear – vote Tory, get Polanski.
And he accused Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch of ‘personally signing off on her party jumping into bed with the Green Party’.
“After bankrupting Worcestershire County Council when they were in charge, the Tories have now inflicted on local residents a radical outfit that wants an amnesty for all illegal migrants and the blanket legalisation of every drug.”
But a Conservative Party spokesperson said the chairman of the party had been very clear on a number of occasions the Conservative Party was totally opposed to the proposed arrangement at Worcestershire County Council.
And it has been confirmed that Coun Kent has been suspended pending an investigation.
We contacted Coun Kent but he was unable to comment.
