CONSERVATIVE leader Kemi Badenoch made her second visit to Kent in six weeks, declaring her party can cling onto power at the county council elections on May 1.
However, Badenoch, who was in the county on Tuesday (22) to meet a farmer impacted by the government’s changes to inheritance tax, insisted “we are going to have to work hard for it”. Eighty one seats are up for grabs at Kent County Council (KCC) next week.
The Conservatives were elected in 2021 with more than 60 members, dwarfing the opposition parties.
But with low national poll ratings, a surge in support for Reform UK and the Green Party and Liberal Democrats anticipated to make significant gains, the outcome is far from clear.
Asked if the Tories can retain control of KCC, Badenoch said: “Of course we can win. But we are not going to win by just saying we are going to win.
“We are going to have to work hard for it. We have to remind people why they should vote Conservative, and that’s what I’m doing right now.
“We can never take the electorate for granted, especially when we have had such an historic defeat as we did last year.”
The Tory leader also said she was not convinced the deputy prime minister, Angela Rayner’s “Devolution Revolution” – which will see councils abolished to be replaced by a smaller number of larger unitary authorities and mayoralties created – is the answer to problems faced by the local government.
The government believes council reorganisation will be cheaper, more efficient and will devolve greater powers to communities. Badenoch said, “I worry about how Labour is carrying on about devolution – it’s top down, not bottom up. It’s reorganising things without looking at the problems, and I don’t think we will get the bang for our buck with reorganisation.”
Last week, Badenoch visited Cambridgeshire, where she said more economic growth is needed for councils to be better funded. Every seat at Cambridgeshire County Council is up for election this year. Locals will also be asked to elect a new mayor to head up the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.
Badenoch was joined by the Conservative candidate for mayor, Paul Bristow, during the visit last Thursday (17).
(Local Democracy Reporting Service)
Kulsuma Aktergetty images
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)