Reform's share of the votes cast in the Romney Marsh ward was the second highest in England in last week's local elections.
The ballot for Kent County Council took place on Thursday, May 1. Elections in East Sussex were cancelled this year because of local government reorganisation.
63.6% of votes cast in Romney Marsh were for Reform, narrowly beaten by a ward in County Durham with 65.1 %. These are the results in full.
| Election Candidate | Party | Votes | % | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Wimble | Reform UK | 3,903 | 64% | Elected |
| Tony Hills | Conservative | 978 | 16% | Not elected |
| Tony Cooper | Labour and Co-operative Party | 555 | 9% | Not elected |
| Malcolm Watkinson | Green Party | 443 | 7% | Not elected |
| Gary Fuller | Liberal Democrat | 258 | 4% | Not elected |
In the Tenterden ward, which covers Appledore and Wittersham, the vote was much tighter but still with a win for Reform.
| Election Candidate | Party | Votes | % | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wayne Chapman | Reform UK | 2,130 | 39% | Elected |
| Neil Bell | Conservative | 1,918 | 35% | Not elected |
| David John Ward | Labour | 533 | 10% | Not elected |
| Guy Alexander Pullen | Green Party | 476 | 9% | Not elected |
| Alexander John Coxall | Liberal Democrat | 394 | 7% | Not elected |
| Martin Gordon Chambers | Heritage Party | 75 | 1% | Not elected |
All 82 seats on Kent County Council were on the ballot paper, with a huge change which sees Reform as the dominant party at County Hall in Maidstone with virtually no opposition.
The new councillors may not serve the full four year term as local government re-organisation is likely to see changes before 2029.
In East Sussex voters are expected to go to the polls next year, possibly to elect a new mayor for Sussex and a new unitary authority.
