The Green Party has accused Reform UK of “playing politics” with its motion of no confidence.
It says Reform is happy to “waste everyone’s time and money”.
It comes ahead of a vote against Matt Jenkins , leader of Worcestershire County Council, due to be debated at a full council meeting on Thursday, July 16.
The motion, tabled by Reform UK leader Alan Amos and councillors Sam Bastow and Rob Wharton, argues the council has “lost confidence in the leader” and calls for Cllr Jenkins’ removal and the election of a new leader.
REFORM: Alan Amos has brought a no confidence motion against council leader Matt Jenkins (Image: NQ)
The Green Party has dismissed the move as “mischief-making” and “wholly premature.”
Cllr Jenkins said: “This is pure mischief-making from Reform, and it is a move that is wholly premature.
“The coalition has barely had time to bed in, but we have already shown how we are setting out our priorities and working hard for the communities we serve.
“Since taking office, the new Green Party, Liberal Democrat, and Independent coalition has been working with council officers to ensure council services continue to run smoothly.
“A key focus is a regeneration project in Worcester city centre to support the creation of many new jobs.
“Planning is already underway to ensure that a balanced budget can be delivered next March.”
The Greens warned the motion would waste “many hours” of officer time and set the council back by weeks if successful.
Reform ‘happy to waste time and money’
They also criticised Reform’s time in office, saying the party “failed to take the decisions needed to put the council back on to a secure financial footing”.
“They misled every resident in the county by promising to cut council tax – but ending up raising it by a whopping nine per cent,” said Cllr Jenkins.
COUNCILLOR: Former county finance chief Rob Wharton is among the councillors bringing the motion of no confidence (Image: NQ)
The Greens also took a swipe at national Reform leader Nigel Farage.
“Meanwhile, Farage is wasting time and money by calling an unnecessary by-election against Count Binface in Clacton,” said Cllr Jenkins.
“The local Reform Party also seem happy to waste everyone’s time and money. This vote of no confidence is a cynical move by Reform, it is all about playing politics rather than serving the people of Worcestershire.”
Council’s ‘coalition of chaos’
Cllr Amos defended the motion, arguing the current coalition lacks legitimacy.
He said: “The people of Worcestershire did not vote for a council to be run by 17 out of 57 councillors – they have no mandate to be running the council.
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“I know many people who don’t want the council run by 17 left-wingers.
“They were put in office by the Conservatives, who then had to withdraw their support so there is no legitimacy.
“They have compounded their arrogance by taking every chair and vice-chair role, every position of responsibility, and have excluded the biggest party.
“This is a coalition of chaos – it is a disaster for the people of Worcestershire.”
