New Reform councillor wants joint KCC leadership

A newly-elected Reform UK councillor has said she hopes to share the leadership of Kent County Council.

Maxine Fothergill was elected as the representative of Sevenoaks Rural North East with 42% of the vote, replacing Conservative David Lionel Brazier.

She has put herself forward for joint leadership alongside David Wimble, who was elected councillor for Romney Marsh with 64% of the vote.

"I think we make a terrific team," she said.

Ms Fothergill is a former Conservative councillor for Bexley, a former independent councillor on Fawkham and West Kingsdown parish councils and also stood in the general election for Bexley and Sidcup.

"I could do it on my own, and so could he. But whether it is leader or deputy, we would like to be able to work closely together and be able to support each other," she said

Speaking to Politics South East over the weekend, Mr Wimble said: "Our party is made up of 57 new members, of those 57, I think six of us have had previous political experience."

Ms Fothergill rejected concerns over the lack of experience of other newly elected councillors with no previous council roles.

She said joint leadership would allow the pair to offer mentorship to others.

"What we want to do is build a really strong culture of supporting each other," she told BBC Radio Kent.

Reform UK secured a majority of 45 seats on Kent County Council at the local election on Friday, all but wiping the Conservatives off the political map at the authority.

Mr Wimble added: "I for one would love to play a part in the leadership."

The new leadership of Kent County Council is to be announced on Thursday, following a leadership meeting, Ms Fothergill said.

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