The ruling Conservative group at the county’s largest local authority faces an all out assault from Reform UK at the next election.

The party, which returned five Westminster MPs at the general election on July 4 and denied the Tories dozens of members, aims to replicate the feat of UKIP in 2013 when it took 17 seats to become the opposition on Kent County Council (KCC).

The Conservatives will go to the polls in May 2025 having been forced to make swingeing cuts to its services in order to avoid bankruptcy.

Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, will tackle issues such as the impact of housing on local communities, the impact of immigration on the local authority, London boroughs acquiring Kent properties to house its over-spill and the state of the county’s roads.

While no candidates have been identified for the 81 seats currently available, the party’s hierarchy will speak to local activists to work out a strategy.

A party spokesman said: “We’ll be looking at places like Maidstone, Malling, Tonbridge and Faversham as well as along the coast.

“There is a strong ‘tribe’ in Kent and by ‘tribe’ I mean the people who have a long tradition of following parties led by Nigel Farage. It helps that Nigel is from Kent and identifies with the people of Kent.

“Our intention is to field as wide a slate as we can and go into those divisions and win. The big showing on polling day in the general election and particularly so in Kent demonstrates Reform’s appeal.”

Maidstone Conservative councillor, Paul Cooper, who is not standing next year said: “I don’t know what impact Reform UK will have next year but, yes, it is a threat.”

A prolonged process to pick a new Conservative leader after Rishi Sunak’s resignation could hamper the party’s road to recovery and affect the way people vote at the KCC poll.

Cllr Cooper added: “They (Reform UK) do stop us winning but I am not sure there will be the same enthusiasm in May 2025.

“At the general election people wanted to give us a kicking but next time I’m not sure Reform will even be able to get enough candidates.”

Also standing down from KCC next year is Cranbrook member Cllr Sean Holden who said: “You can’t underestimate the opposition. In 2013, UKIP went from zero to 17 seats on KCC and became the official opposition, so there is a precedent.”

Reform UK could prosper if illegal immigration continues to be an issue despite Labour’s promises to stop the small boat crossings by “smashing” the people trafficking gangs.

Labour Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has pledged to tackle the issue with the newly-created Border Security Command with tactics similar to those which have thwarted terror plots.

According to Home Office figures, more than 13,500 asylum seekers have crossed the Channel in 2024.