A leaked Kent County Council meeting clip showing Reform members swear at and mute each other could have launched the next Jackie Weaver into our midst.
Footage of an internal meeting during which council members attempt to discuss the budget sees Reform Party members tell each other to 'f suck it up' and warn 'Nigel knows we are a shop window' in a shocking insight into Reform's Kent operation.
The council's leader, Linden Kamkaren, tells them that she is 'not a dictator' but then threatens to mute fellow councillor, Paul Thomas, and warns 'I'm the democratically elected leader, okay?' in a clip reminiscent of the viral 'Jackie Weaver' parish council Zoom meeting back in 2021.
The footage obtained by the Guardian shows the online meeting beginning with Linden saying to her fellow councillors: 'I'm not a dictator, I like feedback, I like to discuss...
'However when it comes to making the really big decisions sometimes I will make a decision that might not be liked by everybody in the group. Because I am the democratically elected leader.'
Linden then warns another councillor who she argues keeps talking over her: 'PAUL! Paul, I’m going to mute you in a minute! Let me reply!' before muting them.
She continues: 'Of course it’s easier when it’s face to face! I’m meant to be going on bloody holiday this week, Paul! I don’t want to be having this meeting!’
The bitter infighting comes as Kent County Council faces several problems, including the need to balance its budget and respond to national plans for local government reform (LGR) that would potentially result in Kent's councils abolishing themselves.
The leaked footage obtained by the Guardian reveals bitter infighting between the Reform members of Kent County Council.
Kent County Council is one of ten outright controlled by Reform, with 56 Reform councillors being elected in the last election.
But with one defecting to UKIP, one being removed from the cabinet after a row, and another being suspended amid allegations about their behaviour, the council is providing a damning indictment of Reform's ability to govern.
Indeed, leader Linden reminds her colleagues at one point in the chaotic clip: 'We are a shop window (for Reform).
'People are judging us every single minute of every single day - Nigel knows that, he is super aware that we are the flagship council.'
But more furious squabbling follows.
One councillor observes: 'Lets face it, the situation at the moment as regards our group is not great.'
Another complains: 'You know, I've worked my arse off in my portfolio and I'm still getting a rod up my backside all the time', adding: 'there is a lot of backbiting going on and that tends to be coming from the top down.'
While some row, others laugh at the situation, with one councillors hitting back at another: 'It's okay Brian, you keep laughing your head off mate'.
Kent County Council is the largest in England by population, representing over 1.6 million people, and has an annual budget of £2.5 billion.
Its performance could therefore be decisive in terms of proving to the public that Reform can competently govern before a general election.
Kent County Council declined to comment.
Linden Kamkaren was contacted for comment.