STORY
The Conservative Party has suspended Adam Kent, its group leader at Worcestershire County Council, after Conservative councillors joined Greens, Liberal Democrats and independents to remove Reform UK from minority control of the authority. Green councillor Matt Jenkins has now become council leader.
Reform UK gained minority control of Worcestershire County Council last year, but its period in charge was marked by internal conflict and financial pressure. The council received £59.9 million of emergency Government funding and increased council tax by 9% as it sought to avoid bankruptcy.
Conservative Party chair Kevin Hollinrake (in main photo) said the national party had not approved an arrangement with the Greens. Kent had argued that local councillors needed to act in response to instability at the council, making the episode a notable example of how national party discipline and local government pragmatism can come into conflict.