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Reform to begin Musk-style audits of councils

(166 Posts)
Wyllow3 Mon 02-Jun-25 11:35:13

"Reform has announced it will send its first Elon Musk-style Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) team into local authorities to assess "wasteful spending".

The party said the first council to be audited will be Kent County Council, one of the councils the party took control of in May's local elections.

In a statement released late on Sunday, party chairman Zia Yusuf said it would be

led by one of the UK's leading tech entrepreneurs", although it is not yet known who that is

The leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition in Kent said he believes it will be "more performance than substance".

It follows the US Doge, which was launched during Donald Trump's presidency to cut federal spending. Billionaire Musk was involved but has since left his position spearheading the unit.

Reform said a team of software engineers, data analysts and forensic auditors will "visit and analyse" local authorities.

But Antony Hook, the Liberal Democrat opposition leader on Kent County Council, questioned the need for a team of outside auditors

He told BBC Radio Kent: "We have at KCC a governance and audit committee, that was due to have its first meeting since the election next week.

"Reform have cancelled it.

The health and scrutiny committee was meant to meet, Reform have cancelled it. Reform have cancelled most of the committee meetings for this week or next week, without any explanation

"They haven't even named who their nominees are to chair these important committees are.

If Reform were serious about making the council work well they would be getting their councillors to do this job, not bringing in unnamed anonymous people who haven't been elected

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpw70j1k540o#comments

It interesting reading the comments on the article.

for example

"Musk's DOGE initiative was a massive failure - unaccountable, symbolic and a waste of money. Expect Reform's poundshop version to be even worse. Besides, you can't just sack people like in the US"

"My guess is that Reform's PR stunt DOGE style audit will end up costing the taxpayer more than it ever finds in savings"

Whitewavemark2 Fri 06-Jun-25 08:28:42

Chocolatelovinggran

The Reform Group at KCC have trumpeted that they have uncovered a piece of financial fraud running to hundreds of thousands of pounds.
In fact, this was discovered by the previous Conservative regime, was prosecuted and taken to court in 2022.
And, also, LA councillors have no influence over the NHS; that is a matter for central government, as is " keeping the boats out " which was mentioned locally as something the Reform team would tackle once they took over county hall.
But, hey, let's not let facts interfere with rhetoric...

Fraud is not “found” in a couple of weeks!! Who “found”it? Let’s see the evidence.

It takes months (sometimes years) to follow the money, and prove.

That is absolute nonsense.

Notagranyet24 Fri 06-Jun-25 11:07:37

I think that bit of 'news' comes from GB News/X.

This makes interesting reading theconversation.com/reform-leads-in-voting-intentions-but-where-does-their-vote-come-from-257754?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20June%205%202025%20-%203402434688&utm_content=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20June%205%202025%20-%203402434688+CID_b50febff14e1234213a8ce88c3b0e885&utm_source=campaign_monitor_uk&utm_term=Reform%20leads%20in%20voting%20intentions%20%20but%20where%20does%20their%20vote%20come%20from

So GN must be a hot bed of Reform UK voters. Are we headed for a Trump regime here? The thought is terrifying.

Maremia Sat 07-Jun-25 13:52:42

For Reform to be serious about doing anything , they would actually have to attend/facilitate coundil meetings. The Independent reports that at least 30 council meetings have been cancelled or postponed so far.

Dickens Sat 07-Jun-25 18:03:42

... he's back again!

Two days after leaving REFORM, Yusuf is back in a new role. He's going to lead their DOGE team.

According to Farage he (Yusuf) "regrets what he said and did the other day. It was a combination of 11 months hard work and exhaustion."

... I know, we've all been there... grin

Wyllow3 Sat 07-Jun-25 18:30:56

Ah, cross post as I just started a thread on it - I dont mind where it goes.

silverlining48 Sat 07-Jun-25 20:36:36

I wonder if there is something ‚on him’ which has forced him back into the job he resigned from only a day or so ago… surely this is ridiculous.

Namsnanny Mon 09-Jun-25 13:30:42

Dickens

... he's back again!

Two days after leaving REFORM, Yusuf is back in a new role. He's going to lead their DOGE team.

According to Farage he (Yusuf) "regrets what he said and did the other day. It was a combination of 11 months hard work and exhaustion."

... I know, we've all been there... grin

... and he is happy about the Burka comments, apparently.
It would seem racism had little to do with his flouncing.

Curiouser and Curiouser🤔
Over tired is the official line, Nigel's a cunning fox, I for one am not up to interpreting his intentions, except to say his promises are empty (add imv).

Wyllow3 Tue 10-Jun-25 22:33:12

Well that is being proved now on a local level - just hope people realise it! there is a council election in England on Thursday see what happens - the line up of candidates has a lot of ultra lefties who might take the vote away from Labour, I hope people have the sense to vote tactically. the news re WFA should help Labour on the doorstep.

Chocolatelovinggran Wed 11-Jun-25 09:55:43

Yes, I understand that Reform Group in Kent have been rather tardy in undertaking meetings.
However, they are proud to announce that they have done one important thing - taken down the Ukrainian flag from County Hall.
It wasn't on my list of things - the - LA- needs - to - do - right - now, but priorities differ I suppose.

Silverbrooks Wed 11-Jun-25 10:17:54

Yet another Reform local councillor has gone; Daniel Taylor, from Kent CC in what is described as a police issue.

www.markpack.org.uk/174958/daniel-taylor-kent-county-council-reform/

silverlining48 Wed 11-Jun-25 10:55:03

As a long standing woman of Kent ( or Kentish woman) I despair 😩

Casdon Wed 11-Jun-25 11:17:01

It will be interesting to see what the outcome will be when there are by elections to replace the ousted. I don’t think councillors should be allowed to change their political allegiance or become independent after they have been elected to serve under a party banner, it’s no more acceptable than it is for MPs.

silverlining48 Wed 11-Jun-25 11:18:59

I agree Casdon

windmill1 Wed 11-Jun-25 11:33:24

From reports of what Reform have or have not done so far, I'd imagine that Nazi-style book burnings will be as far as they get. Then they run right out of ideas and Nigel Farage will declare: "everyone down to the pub!"

The End.

Chocolatelovinggran Wed 11-Jun-25 12:28:14

Spot on Windmill!