00:00Expelled, but not out for the count. That's the message from Bill Barrett and Robert Ford.
00:06Former reformers not only officially launching a new independent party, but announcing legal action to go with it.
00:15I'm currently taking legal advice regarding defamation of my character by Reform UK and KCC.
00:25At this point in time, we're in advanced discussions with at least two additional members that may join the independent reformers.
00:32We don't know whether they will and we don't know whether they won't.
00:35What I'd like to say to members of the press today is that this grouping is a warm sanctuary for people that have been expelled, mistreated, defamed, or in general, just basically abused by the leadership in there.
00:47The news comes as fellow councillor Isabella Kemp announced she's taking the party to industrial tribunal.
00:54After being dismissed from her role at Reform HQ last week, her suspension from the party brings the number of councillors reform have lost in their first six months to nine.
01:08Now reform have lost half of their majority in just six months.
01:12I intend people placing bets on when the reform administration is going to collapse, whether it be Christmas or Easter.
01:16And they're just fighting with each other rather than getting to grips with the real problems facing people in Kent.
01:22The draft budget still has not been made public, nor have decisions been taken on council tax rises.
01:30Is the infighting and legal action being taken making it harder for the reform administration to do their jobs?
01:39It's certainly annoying. I certainly wish it hadn't happened.
01:42I just want everybody to pull together as a team so we can get on with the really important work that we were elected to do.
01:48But no, if it's a distraction, it's been a very minor one.
01:51I dealt with it very swiftly and very decisively.
01:53It's done. It's finished. We move on.
01:55The reform leadership say they have to wait for the Chancellor's autumn statement at the end of the month before any firm financial decisions can be made.
02:07But after another week of chaos at County Hall, the road to financial and political stability has never looked longer.
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