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Kent elections: 'Apocalyptic' situation for Tories, leader says Conservatives lose control of Kent County Council
(30 minutes later)
Leader Roger Gough has lost his seat on Kent County CouncilLeader Roger Gough has lost his seat on Kent County Council
The Conservative leader of Kent County Council has described his party's situation at the local elections as "apocalyptic". The Conservatives have lost control of Kent County Council for the first time in almost thirty years.
Roger Gough lost his own seat at Sevenoaks and Darent Valley North, according to a Local Democracy Reporting Service reporter. Leader Roger Gough, who lost his own seat, described the situation as "apocalyptic" for his party.
The Conservatives have lost 28 of the first 38 seats to be declared, 26 of which were won by Reform UK. The Conservatives have lost 32 of the first 44 seats to be declared, 29 of which were won by Reform UK.
All 72 electoral divisions across the county are up for election - equating to 81 councillors in total.All 72 electoral divisions across the county are up for election - equating to 81 councillors in total.
Gough described his party's situation as "apocalyptic", and added: "That's the only way I can describe it."Gough described his party's situation as "apocalyptic", and added: "That's the only way I can describe it."
The Conservatives had overall control of the authority with 56 of the 81 councillors before the vote.The Conservatives had overall control of the authority with 56 of the 81 councillors before the vote.
At 14:30 BST, with 38 seats declared, 26 had gone to Reform UK, eight to the Liberal Democrats, two to Labour, one to the Greens and one to the Conservatives. At 15:00 BST, with 44 seats declared, 29 had gone to Reform UK, 11 to the Liberal Democrats, two to Labour, one to the Greens and one to the Conservatives.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage told BBC Radio Kent: "It's looking a very good day for us in Kent. I'm being told it could even be a majority win for us. That will help the celebrations tonight."Reform UK leader Nigel Farage told BBC Radio Kent: "It's looking a very good day for us in Kent. I'm being told it could even be a majority win for us. That will help the celebrations tonight."
Counting started on Friday morning and results were expected by 19:00.Counting started on Friday morning and results were expected by 19:00.
Linden Mary Kemkaran won a seat in Maidstone South East for Reform UKLinden Mary Kemkaran won a seat in Maidstone South East for Reform UK
Charlotte Wright, BBC South East political editor, said: "This is looking grim for the Conservative Party.Charlotte Wright, BBC South East political editor, said: "This is looking grim for the Conservative Party.
"After years of comfortably being the dominant force on Kent County Council, they have only secured a single seat."After years of comfortably being the dominant force on Kent County Council, they have only secured a single seat.
"It looks like the party has been no match for the widespread fractured political mood, with Reform UK taking seats off them right across the county.""It looks like the party has been no match for the widespread fractured political mood, with Reform UK taking seats off them right across the county."
Who has been in charge?Who has been in charge?
Before the 2025 vote, the council was made up of 55 Conservatives, six Liberal Democrats, five Labour councillors (including Labour and Co-operative), five Green Party members, four Independent councillors, three Reform UK members, one Heritage Party councillor, one Swale Independents councillor, and there was one vacancy.Before the 2025 vote, the council was made up of 55 Conservatives, six Liberal Democrats, five Labour councillors (including Labour and Co-operative), five Green Party members, four Independent councillors, three Reform UK members, one Heritage Party councillor, one Swale Independents councillor, and there was one vacancy.
Kent County Council has been Conservative-run for most of its existence.Kent County Council has been Conservative-run for most of its existence.
Since it was created in its current format in 1974, it has had a Conservative leader for all but four years, as between 1993 and 1997 the authority was led by joint leaders from Labour and the Liberal Democrats.Since it was created in its current format in 1974, it has had a Conservative leader for all but four years, as between 1993 and 1997 the authority was led by joint leaders from Labour and the Liberal Democrats.
In 1997, the Conservatives won their majority back, which they have held onto since, although their authority was shaken in the 2013 election when Ukip became the second largest party on the council, before losing all their seats four years later.In 1997, the Conservatives won their majority back, which they have held onto since, although their authority was shaken in the 2013 election when Ukip became the second largest party on the council, before losing all their seats four years later.
All 72 electoral divisions across the county were up for electionAll 72 electoral divisions across the county were up for election
When will we know all the results?When will we know all the results?
How the BBC is reporting local election resultsHow the BBC is reporting local election results
Anger and indifference collide in unpredictable local electionsAnger and indifference collide in unpredictable local elections
What happened at the last election?What happened at the last election?
In the last county council election in 2021, the Conservatives won 49% of the vote, securing 61 seats.In the last county council election in 2021, the Conservatives won 49% of the vote, securing 61 seats.
In terms of seats won, the Lib Dems came second with six, Labour got five and the Green Party secured four.In terms of seats won, the Lib Dems came second with six, Labour got five and the Green Party secured four.
Reform UK did not win any seats.Reform UK did not win any seats.
Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.
Local election count begins in KentLocal election count begins in Kent
Kent County Council election: what you need to knowKent County Council election: what you need to know
Anger and indifference collide in unpredictable local electionsAnger and indifference collide in unpredictable local elections