An 18-year-old who only left school this summer has won Reform UK its first seat on a council.

Kieran Mishchuk was elected as Swale council’s youngest member just months after leaving Borden Grammar School.

The water contractor, who has lived in the Sittingbourne area his whole life and only left school in July, won the seat for Milton Regis with 272 of the 802 votes.

Cllr Mishchuk put his victory partly down to the national political outlook which he also pointed to as a reason for a low turnout – 17%.

He said: “There was a lot at play in why people voted for me so I am not going to take all the credit.

“The national picture is bleak and that saw people turn away from Labour. Labour’s intervention in Highsted Park was also a turning point for some people.

“There was also a lot of voter apathy with a lot of people telling me on the doorstep they would not be voting for anyone.

“Although I do not have the life experience other councillors have, I am a good listener and I am going to earn my experience.

“Having lived on the cusp of Milton for 16 years and the Sittingbourne area my whole life, I know the issues the area is facing.

“My age should not affect my role as I know I am capable and I will listen to issues people have.

“I have spoken to the Milton Regis Society which is campaigning to bring in a 20mph speed limit in the High Street and I am getting behind them on that as speeding issues cropped up on the doorstep.

“I also will speak to the police about low-level youth crime which needs to be treated seriously.

“I want to get along with other Swale councillors and not be tribal about local issues.

“I am very grateful for all the people who voted for me and I will work for those who voted for me but also those who didn’t.”

Cllr Mishchuk, who lives in Homewood ward but is set to move to Staplehurst Road, said he first became interested in politics when Donald Trump was first elected.

He chose Reform UK because of what he says the party represents.

“It’s all about community, family and country,” he said. “There were also gaps in the party which allowed me to come forward but those gaps are quickly filling.

“It is also a new party and different from the classic parties and we want to make the country better.

“I would become an MP if I thought I would do a good job but I am still young so have a lot to learn first.”

He says he has been invited by the Reform UK headquarters in London to visit after Christmas but has not yet heard from party leader Nigel Farage, which he says is to be expected as he is “very busy”.

The count took place in Swale House on Thursday, December 19 and was finished in around 40 minutes.

Swale Independents’ candidate Tom Lee came second with 208 votes, while Nicola Nelson representing Labour was third with 200 votes.

Islay Walker of the Conservative Party secured 99 votes and Marc Wilson, the Liberal Democrats candidate 23.

The election was triggered when Angie Valls (Lab), who was elected in the borough election in May last year, stepped down on October 28 due to work commitments.

This left one of the two seats vacant, with the other being held by Cllr Tony Winckless (Lab).

Just 17% of the 4,700 people voted compared to 40% in the borough election when 1,888 votes were cast.

It mirrors a drop in election participation in the borough with a record low general election turnout being recorded for the Sittingbourne and Sheppey seat.

The result also shows the rise of Reform UK in the area with the party performing well in the July election.

Its candidate, William Fotheringham-Bray won 10,512 votes in a tight three-horse race which saw Labour’s Kevin McKenna win the seat with 11,919 seats.

New deputy Labour Swale council leader, Cllr Ashley Wise, said the by-election was “always going to be difficult” due to the proximity of Christmas and this presented a “good opportunity for an insurgent party”.

He took on the role after the collapse of the council coalition which saw Labour take full control following the exit of the Green Party and ousting of the Swale Independents.

The member for Kemsley said: “There is no denying that the result of the Milton Regis by-election is a blow.

“Labour’s Tony Winckless is rightly recognised across the ward as an incredibly active councillor and this was reiterated time and again to us on the doorstep.

“I can say with confidence that this result is not a judgement on our excellent candidate Nicola Nelson or local Labour’s hardworking councillors whose efforts will continue on behalf of our residents.

“There is undoubtedly a sense of frustration which has been expressed at the ballot box, but on the doors there was also a recognition that there’s no magic wand or magic money tree available to the government.

“It will take a bit of time for the significant investment the new Labour government is making to restore our public services to be felt on the ground, and I am confident people will start to see results.

“But a lot was done over the last 14 years which simply cannot be resolved overnight. It will take time. In the meantime, the Labour government in Westminster must remain focused on the everyday concerns facing people.

“There are matters of great significance ahead in local government and the Labour Group will continue to work cross-party for the good of Swale.”