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Kent politics rocked as seven former Reform UK councillors defect to Rupert Lowe’s freshly minted party, Restore Britain.
The exodus includes six councillors previously expelled from Reform UK, plus one independent ally, forming a new group at Kent County Council. Among the defectors are Paul Thomas, Oliver Bradshaw, Brian Black, Robert Ford, Isabella Kemp, Maxine Fothergill, and Dean Burns.
Lowe, the Independent MP who set up Restore Britain last Friday after his bitter split from Reform, hailed the move as a “fresh start” for disillusioned politicians. The party is designed as a political umbrella, expected to partner with local parties to expand its influence.
Political insiders say this is just the start of Lowe’s comeback tour, potentially shaking up both local and national politics.
Lowe, who is also an ex-Reform UK MP, posted the defection announcement on X. He wrote: “There will be many more to come.
“I am delighted to announce that seven Kent County Councillors have today joined Restore Britain, and they will form an official Restore Britain group on the council.
“This is a very important day for our party.”
Lowe wrote on X his party had published its deportation policy “detailing exactly how we can remove millions of illegal migrants”.
Bill Barrett, ex-Reform UK councillor and former leader of the Independent Reformers Group wished his colleagues the best, saying Restore Britain is “too right wing for me.”
He said, “I sit in the centre ground of British politics where broad churches are made, and that is where I will remain.”
Liberal Democrat Antony Hook said, “It is hard to keep track of the ever-changing groups leaving Reform.
“Lib Dems will continue to work hard for local people and argue for council policies that benefit all the people who live in our wonderful county.”
EXCLUSIVE: Could Reform UK be facing a wider mass defection? Sources suggest more councillors are watching Lowe’s moves closely…
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