At this year’s local elections, the Reform Party secured outright majorities in 10 local authorities and won two metro mayor contests.

As its local leaders make the transition from opposition to government, what skills will they need to be successful? What are the trade-offs they will have to make? How should they design and deliver policy? And how should they work with the Labour government in Westminster to deliver for voters locally?

Speakers: 

Dr Hannah White, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government (chair)

Cllr Linden Kemkaran, Leader of Kent County Council & County Councillor for Maidstone Southeast

Akash Paun, Programme Director (Devolution) at the Institute for Government

Gawain Towler, former Head of Press for Reform UK

This event was an IfG fringe event held at the Reform UK Party Conference 2025 in Birmingham.

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