REFORM UK have lost their first electoral test to the Green Party of England and Wales at their "flagship" council in Kent, in a by-election triggered by the jailing of one of its councillors.
The Green Party’s Rob Yates won the seat in Cliftonville, Thanet, with 2068 votes, making up 39% of the vote, ahead of Marc Rattigan for Reform with 1767 votes, making up 33%.
Following the victory, Yates said: “This result shows that across Kent and across the country the Greens are the antidote to Reform.”
The 39-year-old is an offshore wind farmer and is currently a Thanet District Council member.
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Reacting to the loss of the by-election on Friday, a Reform UK spokesman said: “Marc and the team have run an incredible, positive and professional campaign in the midst of challenging circumstances.
“We’d like to thank voters for their support. The overriding message from this result is, vote Conservative, get Green.”
The by-election was triggered after ex-Reform UK councillor Daniel Taylor, of Ramsgate, Kent, was jailed for 12 months in February after admitting controlling and coercive behaviour towards his wife.
The 36-year-old was suspended from Reform after his arrest in June last year and expelled after he pleaded guilty to the crime in January.
Green Party Leader Zack Polanski posted on X shortly after, celebrating the result.
🚨🎉 The Green Party BEATS Reform!!!
😮 Greens came fourth here last year.
💚 Proving once again that Greens can win anywhere.
🙌🏽 Labour tanking and Greens beating Reform!
👉🏽 https://t.co/0qbagSvIYp https://t.co/bIUeUB3KEs— Zack Polanski (@ZackPolanski) April 10, 2026
Reform won control of Kent County Council (KCC) in May last year, securing 57 out of 81 seats, but is currently down to 47 after removing some of them.
Elsewhere, Liberal Democrats make up 12 members, the newly established Restore Britain Kent group make up seven, Conservatives hold six seats, Greens now hold six following the win, and Labour have two.
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In the Cliftonville seat last May, Reform won 40% of the vote, followed by Labour and the Conservatives behind them with 22% and 20% of the vote respectively.
On the campaign trail, Yates was backed by former Green Party leader and the party’s first MP Caroline Lucas, as well as party leader Polanski making an appearance on the eve of the election.
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