In Kent, Reform’s talk of protecting women is a dangerous illusion

Reform like to posture as a party that cares about women’s safety. But in Kent, the reality became clear when councillors put forward measures to tackle violence against women and children, and every single one of Reform UK’s local councillors voted them down. 

Linden Kemkaren quoted questionable statistics from the rightwing think-tank Centre for Migration Control and claimed that “two large elephants in the room” – migrants and trans people – were to blame for violence against women and girls. None of this protects women. All of it fuels division, puts vulnerable people at greater risk and seriously undermines the frontline organisations that are working to tackle the rising tide of this violence. 

As I sat there watching Reform vote against this motion, I was horrified, because I knew what it meant for women in my community. I knew we had to fight back.

I contacted local activists and councillors from the opposition to protest at a follow-up meeting that Kemkaren arranged at County Hall. Standing outside an event that was basically a launch for the rightwing pressure group the Women’s Safety Initiative, I realised it’s time for us all to wake up. 

This isn’t just about MPs holding forth in Westminster or Nigel Farage spouting nonsense on the telly, it’s closer to home. It’s our own county councillors here in Kent and across the UK. The people elected to represent us, who are failing to protect women and children. 

Only a few years ago, Kent’s approach looked very different. Matthew Scott, our police and crime commissioner, set out a plan based on reality. His report showed that most violence happens in the home, not on the streets. And he built a strategy to address it around four pillars: prevention, engagement, the victim’s journey, and rehabilitation.

That serious, practical work has now been pushed aside in favour of fearmongering and scapegoating. 

As a grassroots activist, I can’t just sit back and hope for a change. That’s why I’m working with opposition councillors, campaigners, charities, community interest companies, organisations, unions, the police, victim services and the NHS to get the work done. We’re building networks. We’re fact-checking Reform’s dubious claims. We’re standing together both inside and outside council chambers, and on the streets. Because if we can’t rely on our councillors to protect women, we’ll have to do it ourselves. 

And here’s the thing: you don’t need a title or a platform to push back. In Kent, it’s ordinary people, like parents, neighbours, friends, who are showing up. Protest has many forms – it can be holding a megaphone, marching, signing a petition, filing complaints, donating, sharing research online, or just uniting with people around you. None of us can do everything, but all of us can do something. 

What’s happening in Kent is a warning of what Reform wants to spread across the UK. Dodgy stats. Platforming controversial organisations. Scapegoating migrants, trans people – who knows which group is next. They’re blocking real measures that would actually keep women safe. It’s dangerous, and we can’t let it become the new normal. 

We don’t have to accept posturing in place of progression. We can hold them to account. And we can show, community by community, movement by movement, that real safety doesn’t come from making scapegoats, it comes from solidarity.