Reform UK’s Kent council, known for being the party's flagship local authority, recently passed its first budget, resulting in warnings from opposition politicians about potential 'extreme risk' and financial instability. Despite the green light from Reform UK councillors following a 3.99% increase in council tax—just shy of the referendum threshold—the opposition criticized the council’s decision to raise taxes contrary to their previous pledge of not doing so. The council's leader defended the budget as 'sensible' but acknowledges the precarious situation it creates.

The budget has raised concerns among local officials, especially regarding the depletion of reserves which are described as 'dangerously low.' With the local authority’s financial risk register showing exposures exceeding £410 million, critics argue that the new budget could lead to jeopardizing essential public services and community infrastructure. The situation raises questions about the council's financial management and its inability to uphold prior commitments made to voters.

The vote saw a majority approval among the remaining Reform UK councillors, despite a backdrop of recent departures from the party's council bloc. The dissenting voices include Antony Hook, the leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition, who characterized the budget as a ‘casino budget’, signifying a reckless approach to local governance that lacks responsible fiscal management. This will likely be a contentious issue as the council navigates the future amidst economic uncertainty and potential public backlash against the tax increase.