Reform UK leader Nigel Farage says his fledgling party is “going all out” to win seats at the currently Conservative-run Kent County Council next May.
Mr Farage was speaking after two surprise by-election victories in north Kent.
He said the results were testament to Reform’s new, professionalised approach.
Though turnout was only 15%, the result will send shockwaves through the Conservative ranks at Kent County Council (KCC) who have been hopeful of defying expectations and hold onto power at County Hall.
The Tories currently have 59 of the 81 seats on the county council.
The seats on Dartford Borough Council and Kent County Council were previously held by the independent Swanscombe and Greenhithe Residents’ Association (SGRA) Peter Harman, who died in September.
The independent group were widely tipped to hang onto the seats.
Mr Farage said: “Obviously I am very pleased with the results from Kent. It is all the more pleasing because we did it from a virtual standing start and it reflects our new, professionalised approach.
“Now we are going all out for Kent County Council next May and I will be addressing a dinner in Hythe tonight (Nov 22) to that effect.
“Something is happening out there.”
The Conservatives were beaten into fourth place at KCC and fifth at Dartford Borough Council in the polls held on Thursday 21st November.
Tory backbencher Cllr Sarah Hudson (pictured below), who represents voters in Tonbridge and Malling, said: “This says that Reform UK are going to win a hell of a lot of seats next May at the election.
“It might be a by-election but it’s indicative of things. It means the Tories are still not loved and the Labour Party are not loved either.
“Reform UK are filling the void of where we should be and the voters are telling us that we can’t be trusted to do any of the things that we said we would do but didn’t.”
Defeated Liberal Democrat James Willis said: “Immigration came up on the doorstep a lot.”
Kent County Council – Swanscombe and Greenhithe division
Thomas Mallon Reform UK 695 (29%)
Victoria Akintomide-Akinwamide Labour 588 (25%)
Dawn Margaret Johnston SGRA 395 (17%)
Carol Mary Gale Conservative 374 (16%)
Laura Helen Ker Edie Green Party 296 (12%)
James Martin Willis Liberal Democrat 44 (2%)
Turnout 15%
Dartford Borough Council – Greenhithe & Knockhall ward
Michael David Brown Reform UK 284 (31.21%)
Dawn Margaret Johnston SGRA 251 (27.58%)
Sacha Navindra Gosine Green Party 150 (16.48%)
Peter Samuel Summers Labour Party 113 (12.42%)
Edith Nwachukwu Local Conservatives 112 (12.31%)
Turnout 16%
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