Kent County Council and Medway Council are charging ahead with a devolution agenda that could reshape local governance as we know it. Their joint bid to join the government’s Devolution Priority Programme aims to establish a Mayoral Strategic Authority by May 2026, with local government reorganisation to follow.
This move isn’t just bureaucratic reshuffling; it’s a seismic shift that could see the abolition of existing councils, replaced by larger unitary authorities. The promise? More powers and money from Whitehall. The reality? Potential delays in local elections, extended terms for current councillors, and a concentration of power in the hands of a single elected mayor.
For the residents of Rochester and Strood, this means decisions about your daily life—transport, housing, local services—could soon be dictated by a distant mayor, rather than your local representatives who understand the unique needs of our community.
Reform UK stands firmly against this top-down approach. We believe in genuine localism, where power resides with the people, not faceless bureaucrats or distant politicians. This devolution deal risks eroding local accountability and diluting the democratic voice of Rochester and Strood’s constituents.
We demand transparency, genuine public consultation, and a devolution process that truly serves the interests of our community—not the political ambitions of the establishment.