Opposing Reducing Scrutiny at Kent County Council Meetings

At the Kent County Meeting of 21 May 2026, the Reform administration proposed, and passed, a reduction in the time of opposition groups to respond to Leaders Announcements.

Amongst many other members, Tim Prater spoke against that change, and other members spoke against proposals to introduce the saying of the Lords Prayer at the start of meetings and singing of the National Anthem at their conclusion.

There were strong contributions from a number of members.

Restore member Oliver Bradshaw spoke strongly against the Lords Prayer being used as political theatre.

Liberal Democrat Mike Sole from Canterbury South gave a particularly good speech on the singing of the National Anthem.

Every Liberal Democrat member voted against introducing the Lords Prayer at the start of meetings and National Anthem at the end. As Lib Dem Leader Antony Hook put it, the County is seeking to be more businesslike. Which business starts their day with the Lords Prayer and ends it with the National Anthem, and in what world would that make them more effective?

There is a BBC report on the constitutional changes at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm2p4g86x0vo.