Reform UK say it is “outrageous” the largest party on Worcestershire County Council has been excluded from running it.
The party has brought a motion of no confidence in leader Matt Jenkins, which is set to be debated in a full council meeting next Thursday (July 16).
Councillor Jenkins said the motion is “premature” and “seems like sour grapes”.
Reform group leader Alan Amos said the current administration was “only elected on the back of a party which withdrew its support within 55 minutes”.
CRITICISM: Reform leader Alan Amos (Image: Supplied)
“We had the shortest cabinet in history,” he said. “This is a coalition of chaos.”
Councillor Jenkins’ ruling coalition of Green, Lib Dem, independent councillors, plus suspended Conservative Adam Kent, took control of the council in May’s full council meeting, defeating a rival bid by Councillor Amos.
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A cabinet was named but swiftly had to be changed when national Tory leader Kemi Badenoch intervened, deputy council leader Adam Kent was suspended by the party and several Conservative councillors stepped down from their new roles.
Councillor Amos said the administration has “no legitimacy because it has excluded by far the largest party.
IN CHARGE: Council leader Matt Jenkins (right, with deputy Adam Kent) faces a vote of no confidence (Image: Worcestershire County Council/YouTube)
“That’s why we’ve brought this motion and now we have a week of discussions.
“The biggest party has been excluded from democracy – it’s outrageous. We want a representative council that’s stable.
“Having been in power for a year, we know the enormity of decisions, we know what’s going to come in the budget – there are some huge decisions to take.
“But when it comes down to numbers the Greens and Lib Dems only have 17 out of 57 councillors. And if you leave these things too late the damage is already done.
“The people of Worcestershire did not vote for a far-left coalition run by Greens and Lib Dems.”
Reform has 22 councillors on the council compared to 12 Conservatives, eight Greens, seven Lib Dems, six independents and two Labour councillors.
Councillor Jenkins said of Reform’s motion: “Firstly, I don’t think they’ve got the numbers. Secondly, I haven’t even had my first full council meeting as leader yet – I think this is a little bit premature.
“If they don’t think I’m doing a good job by the end of the year that’s different.
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“We’ve had two cabinet meetings and set out some of our top priorities – sorting out the council’s finances, making savings, not raising council tax by more than five percent, and preparing for local government reorganisation (LGR).
“And cabinet members are setting out their own areas – papers from some of them are coming forward at this meeting.
“This seems like sour grapes because [Reform] didn’t get the leadership.
“I think residents want people to work together. This seems to be about playing politics.”