A further two councillors in Kent have joined Reform UK ahead of the May 1 local elections.

Ashford South county councillor Dirk Ross and Ashford Borough Council member Bill Barrett were among 29 defectors welcomed by party leader Nigel Farage at a Westminster hotel this week.

Both councillors have been serving as independents, although Cllr Ross was formerly a member of the Conservative group at County Hall.

Last week, Tunbridge Wells county councillor Cllr Becki Bruneau jumped ship to join the Heritage Party taking a swipe at her former Tory colleagues as she went.

A few days before, Ramsgate independent Cllr Trevor Shonk, also a former Conservative, joined Reform UK.

With Cllr Shonk’s move and the latest defection by Cllr Ross, it brings to three the number of Reformers now in the chamber at Kent County Council.

Last November, Thomas Mallon won a seat at Swanscombe and Greenhithe at a by-election.

A statement released by Cllr Ross and Cllr Barrett, who sits on Ashford Borough Councillor for Singleton East, said: “Residents across Kent are starting to realise that only Reform UK will offer the kind of change we deserve.

“On every single issue, from immigration to taxes and the cost of living, the Conservatives have failed.

"We need real change. Labour and the Conservatives stand for basically the same thing – high immigration, high taxes and high energy bills. Only Reform will bring some common sense back to Kent.”

Later Cllr Ross added: “At the end of the day people want to have their bins collected and the potholes fixed. People are annoyed and they are looking for a change.”

A Reform UK spokesman said: “We’re delighted Dirk and Bill have joined us. We welcome anyone who shares our vision for integrity, accountability, and meaningful change.

“Our focus now turns to winning as many councillors in May as possible, where we will be standing in every single seat across Kent.

With 57 seats, Conservatives are well ahead of Labour (6), Liberal Democrats (6), Greens (5), Reform UK (3), independents (2) and Heritage Party (1).

But the Conservatives are bracing themselves for a difficult election on May 1 when Reform UK could cost them seats.

It will also be aiming to take Labour votes, too.

Cllr Gary Cooke, a former KCC chairman who is standing down for personal reasons believes if the Tories do not secure an outright majority (41 seats), they may have to countenance a deal with Reform UK to form an administration.