20/03/2026
Statement from Labour Kent County Councillors
Yesterday, we made the difficult decision to walk out of the Kent County Council chamber. This was not a decision taken lightly. As a Labour group, we have lost trust and confidence in the process that allowed the Reform leadership to force through a politically charged motion during the official preelection period.
Motion: illegal migration emergency in kent
We formally raised concerns with the Monitoring Officer, repeatedly requested sight of the independent legal advice, and were denied every time. The timing of the motion, the way it has been publicised, and the use of council facilities in the middle of an election period made it clear: this process was not fair, not neutral, and not transparent.
We cannot legitimise a process we believe is fundamentally compromised. We did not comment on the abhorrent motion because that would be engaging in the debate. A discussion about immigration is very important but the timing of the discussion during the pre-election period stifles that debate.
We will now be reporting the matter to the Electoral Commission and the Local Government Ombudsman.
At the same time, our community in Canterbury is experiencing an unprecedented meningitis outbreak. Families are grieving, young people are frightened, and over 9,000 students are being urgently reached through a targeted vaccination programme. Public health teams have carried out contact tracing, antibiotics have been widely distributed, and clear guidance is being shared across the district — but this is when leadership should be providing unity and reassurance.
Residents need calm, factual information:
✔ Antibiotics offered after exposure are around 90% effective.
✔ Vaccinations are safe, essential, and must be taken up.
✔ The general risk remains low because meningitis spreads through close personal contact.
✔ Anyone with symptoms such as fever, vomiting, stiff neck, confusion, blotchy skin, rapid breathing, and extreme sensitivity to light must seek immediate medical help.
Instead of focusing on public health, the Reform leadership chose to prioritise political pointscoring.
At a time when our community needs clarity, compassion, and responsibility, Kent was given division.
We walked out because Kent deserves better.
We will continue to stand with residents, support the public health response, and fight for integrity and accountability at County Hall.
Cllr Alister Brady (Canterbury City North)
Cllr Connie Nolan (Canterbury City South)
