Reform UK Unleashes 'Doge' on Council Spending: Kent First Target

The new UK Doge unit will be spearheaded by an as-yet-unnamed individual, described by Reform UK as one of the nation's "leading tech entrepreneurs with a specialism in data analytics who has also been a turnaround CEO." This strategic leadership aims to leverage cutting-edge expertise in identifying inefficiencies.

According to the party, the Doge unit will deploy advanced tools including artificial intelligence (AI), sophisticated data analysis techniques, and meticulous forensic auditing to "identify wasteful spending and recommend actionable solutions." This technological approach is central to Reform UK's strategy for delivering greater value to voters.

A formal letter dispatched to Kent County Council, where Reform UK now holds a controlling influence following the recent May local elections, explicitly outlines the scope of the review. It specifies areas for investigation including, but not limited to: contractual arrangements with suppliers and consultants, all capital expenditure, the utilisation of framework agreements and direct awards, any off-book or contingent liabilities, the use of financial reserves and overall financial resilience, and any audit flags raised by internal or external auditors over the past three years.

The letter, signed by Kent Council leader Linden Kemkaran, Party Chairman Zia Yusuf, and Party Leader Nigel Farage, requests "full and prompt access" for the Doge team to a comprehensive range of council-held documents. This includes electronic and paper records, relevant finance, procurement, audit and contract data, meeting minutes, correspondence regarding major procurements, and any internal investigations or whistleblowing reports pertinent to financial matters.

Emphasising the seriousness of their intent, the letter adds a stark warning: "Should you resist this request, we are ready to pass a council motion to compel the same and will consider any obstruction of our councillors’ duties to be gross misconduct. We trust this will not be required."

Reform UK Party Chairman Zia Yusuf articulated the public's frustration, stating, "For too long British taxpayers have watched their money vanish into a black hole. Their taxes keep going up, their bin collections keep getting less frequent, potholes remain unfixed, their local services keep getting cut. Reform won a historic victory on a mandate to change this." He affirmed, "As promised, we have created a UK Doge to identify and cut wasteful spending of taxpayer money. Our team will use cutting-edge technology and and deliver real value for voters."

This initiative echoes a sentiment previously voiced by Nigel Farage during a local election campaign launch in March, where he declared, "Frankly folks, what we need in this country to pay for the cuts that people deserve and need, we need a British form of Doge, as Elon Musk has got in America. Let’s have a British Doge."

The American "Doge" was initially launched during Donald Trump's presidency with the aim of reducing federal spending, with billionaire Elon Musk initially involved before he later departed the unit.

A spokesman for Kent County Council declined to comment on Reform UK's new initiative.