Party says those who previously failed vetting are ‘strongly encouraged’ to reapply under new criteria
Reform UK has told its members it is introducing a less stringent “common sense” vetting system for would-be candidates after complaints the previous checks were too strict, despite a recent series of controversies linked to the party.
Reform UK to introduce less stringent ‘common sense’ vetting system for candidates, The Guardian
Day: 7 July 2025
Reform councillor quits two months after election
A Reform UK councillor has resigned just two months after being elected to Doncaster Council.
Samuel Booth was elected in the Bentley ward alongside Reform’s Rebecca Booth and Labour’s James Church at the May elections.
Reform councillor quits two months after election, BBC
Reform UK-Led Kent Council Removes Trans-Themed Books from Children’s Library Sections
Kent County Council, led by the Reform UK party, has announced the removal of all books featuring transgender themes from the children’s sections of its libraries—a move that has sparked significant backlash and concern.
The council’s leader, Linden Kemkaran, revealed the decision via X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, 2 July. “Another victory for #commonsenseinKent,” she wrote. “My brilliant cabinet member Cllr Paul Webb has just got this trans material REMOVED from the children’s sections of all Kent’s libraries. Telling children they’re in the ‘wrong body’ is wrong and simply unacceptable.”
The announcement did not include details on which specific titles or materials were removed, nor how many books are affected. Kent County Council oversees 99 community libraries and operates five mobile library vans.
Antony Hook, the Liberal Democrat opposition leader in the council, criticised the announcement as both “vague” and “bizarre”, particularly as it was made on social media rather than through formal council channels. Hook has formally written to the head of Kent Library Services seeking clarification on what materials are being removed.
Reform UK-Led Kent Council Removes Trans-Themed Books from Children’s Library Sections, gayexpress.co.nz
Reform UK-led Kent County Council replaces cabinet member Bill Barrett after less than seven weeks
Reform UK’s new administration at Kent County Council has replaced its first cabinet member less than seven weeks into the job.
Cllr Bill Barrett, who represents the Ashford Rural South division, stepped down from his place at the top table where he was in charge of highways and transport.
Reform UK-led Kent County Council replaces cabinet member Bill Barrett after less than seven weeks, kentonline.co.uk