Reform UK defections see new group on council

Seven councillors from Kent County Council's Reform UK group have joined a new party, seen as another force on the political right.

The councillors have joined Restore Britain, launched last week by Rupert Lowe, the MP for Great Yarmouth, and will form their own group on Kent County Council.

The seven councillors named in a graphic accompanying Lowe's post were Maxine Fothergill, Robert Ford, Paul Thomas, Dean Burns, Isabella Kemp, Brian Black and Oliver Bradshaw.

A Reform UK source said: "Restore are welcome to our dregs. Let's not forget that six of these councillors were expelled."

They added: "If this is Restore's bar for councillors then it must be very low indeed."

Lowe, currently serving as an independent, initially set up Restore Britain as a political movement after he was suspended from Reform UK.

It is now expected to act as an umbrella political party.

After the launch, the BBC's East of England political editor Andrew Sinclair said Lowe "believes that in a crowded marketplace there is room for another party, on the right, which will pride itself on its independence of mind".

Announcing the new members on social media, Lowe wrote: "I am delighted to announce that seven Kent County Councillors have today joined Restore Britain, and they will form an official Restore Britain group on the council."

He added: "This is a very important day for our party. There will be many more to come."

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