The newly-formed Restore Britain political group at Kent County Council has elected its new leader and deputy and vowed to fight the forthcoming by-election in Thanet.

Cllr Paul Thomas will head up the seven-strong team with Clr Maxine Fothergill as his second in command.

The new leaders emerged from the Medway Suite after a 90-minute meeting followed by their group members, promising a “refreshing approach” to local politics.

But minutes after the duo were unveiled, Reform UK announced that two Thanet district councillors had defected to Nigel Farage’s outfit.

Cllr Thomas said: “As I said in my speech just now, it’s not about me, it’s about us and about the communities we serve.

“You’ll see a refreshing approach where we are there for the local people in our divisions.

“I am honoured to be elected as the leader of the restore Britain group on KCC. My focus will be to empower the experienced group members to champion local issues unimpeded and the wider Kent area together.”

Cllr Thomas claimed the fledgling party, started by former Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe, now has “thousands” of members in Kent.

He said if the party can get permission from the Electoral Commission to field a candidate in time for the Cliftonville by-election, it will, but if not will endorse an independent who would join the group at KCC should they win.

Rupert Lowe said in a statement: “I am delighted with the team we are building in Kent. This is one of our strongest counties in terms of membership and we are fully expecting to compete in seats across Kent at the next general election.

“Our councillors will have the freedom to decide on local issues. There will be no national whip…we trust our councillors to make the right decisions for their residents. Unusual to hear in politics, I know.”

Cllr Fothergill said she is “proud” to be part of the party and the newly-formed group.

She added: “It feels like new beginnings and a huge opportunity.

“I am under no illusion that there is a big job ahead of us. We are confident we will be ready for the next general election and I am delighted to be elected as deputy leader of such a strong group at KCC.”

The current seven Restore Britain members at County Hall are Cllr Fothergill (Sevenoaks), Isabella Kemp (Sheppey); Brian Black (Maidstone rural south); Cllr Thomas (Maidstone south); Oliver Bradshaw (Maidstone central) and Robert Ford (Maidstone rural west) and Dean Burns (Ashford East).

Apart from Cllr Burns, all six were booted out of Reform UK last autumn for alleged disloyalty and bringing the party into disrepute. All the expelled members denied any wrong-doing.

If Restore Britain does field a candidate in the forthcoming by-election at Cliftonville, there could be a split in the hard right vote.

It was sparked by former Reform UK councillor Daniel Taylor being jailed for a year for controlling or coercive behaviour towards his wife.

Taylor was suspended from the party after he was charged with the offence last summer. He attended the last full council meeting on February 12.

The by-election is likely to be held in early April.

In May 2025, Taylor won with more than 40% of the vote, ahead of Labour on 22% and the Conservatives on 19%. The turnout was just 33%.

Cllr Alister Brady, co-leader of the KCC Labour group, believes that having come second last time, his party could be well-placed to take it, claiming Reform’s record is now under intense scrutiny since sweeping into power.

Labour’s campaign machine is enhanced by having MP Polly Billington on the patch and some observers see left and right-leaning voters tactically coalescing to keep Reform out.

One said: “It makes sense. But it would take a big chunk of the Tory, Green and Lib Dem vote to get behind Labour to make it happen – but it could – and a Restore Britain candidate might make life even harder for Reform.”

With Cllr Burns defection to Restore Britain, the number of Reform UK members at County Hall has dropped from 57 to 47.

The current make-up at County Hall is: Reform UK – 47; Liberal Democrats – 12; Restore Britain – 7; Conservatives – 5; Green – 4; Labour – 2; Independents – 2; UKIP -1 and one vacancy.

Thanet district councillors Marc Rattigan (Cliftonville East), a former Tory, and independent John Dennis (Garlinge) joined Reform UK today.

Cllr Rattigan said: “I am leaving the Conservative Party because it has veered too far from the foundational principles that I hold dear, and I refuse to compromise my beliefs any longer. Our nation requires a bold revival, and I believe Reform is our only hope to restore its vitality.”

Cllr Dennis said: “I am thrilled to be joining Reform UK today. I feel like I’m coming home to a party that truly represents my values. Alongside my new fellow Reform councillors, I believe we can deliver the needed changes and improvements to the local area.”