Bromley Council Approves 4.99% Tax Hike Amid Political Clash with Reform UK
Bromley Council has officially approved a 4.99 per cent increase in council tax for the 2026/27 financial year, sparking intense political debate during a budget meeting dominated by Conservative criticism of Reform UK's lack of alternative proposals. The decision means average Band D properties will see annual payments rise from £2,042.46 to £2,140.04, representing an increase of £97.58 per year.
Conservative Leadership Defends Budget Decisions
Council Leader Colin Smith, a Conservative, apologized to Bromley residents for the tax increase while defending his administration's financial management. Smith claimed Bromley was "being actively punished" for years of good fiscal stewardship, criticizing both central government funding formulas and specifically targeting the Labour government's Fair Funding Review.
"Bad behaviour across the capital is being rewarded, while years of thrift, hard work and hard endeavour are being punished," Smith declared during the February 26 meeting. He suggested funding decisions might reflect "political malice" against Bromley but praised his team for delivering a balanced budget and described Conservatives as "a trusted pair of hands in difficult times."
Theatrical Criticism of Reform UK's Absence
The meeting featured dramatic political theater as Conservative councillor Simon Fawthrop held up a blank piece of paper, proclaiming he had discovered Reform UK's budget proposal. This symbolic gesture highlighted the central criticism leveled against Reform throughout the evening: their failure to present any alternative budget amendments.
Tory councillor Josh Coldspring-White called Reform's lack of proposals "shameful" and suggested the party "could not be trusted" with council control. "In May, there is a clear choice between voting for a Conservative administration that will keep Bromley on the right path and a Reform administration that will lead this borough into chaos," he warned.
Reform Leader Responds to Criticism
Reform UK leader Alan Cook, who was absent from the meeting due to being overseas, defended his party's position in subsequent comments. Cook compared Conservative attacks to "Japanese soldiers that were found in the jungle 29 years after Japan lost in WW2" who "could not comprehend or come to terms with the fact that it is over and that they had lost."
Cook explained that with only three Reform councillors in Bromley, "any budget we put forward would not be considered." He asserted that "The Tories clearly feel threatened by Reform, they wouldn't attack any other group in the council that has three votes in this fashion." Cook blamed Conservative policies for the council's financial challenges, claiming the authority "will be bankrupt by 2028."
Cross-Party Amendments Rejected
While Reform UK offered no budget alternatives, both Labour and Liberal Democrat parties proposed amendments that were ultimately rejected by the Conservative majority. Labour's proposals included £2 million for road safety interventions, while Liberal Democrats suggested installing card payment parking meters throughout town centers (£80,000) and allocating £50,000 to address digital exclusion among residents.
Labour opposition leader Simon Jeal criticized previous Conservative governments for Bromley's financial position, specifically mentioning the Liz Truss 2022 mini-budget's £30 billion impact on the UK economy. Jeal also questioned the timing of the council's civic center transactions, calling the decision to sell Stockwell Close and purchase Churchill Court in early 2024 "the worst moment" due to rising interest rates and construction costs.
Council Leader Smith defended the £13.5 million civic center sale as achieving "the best price we could get for it" and claimed the move saved approximately £80 million in avoided repair costs at the former site.
Political Landscape Heats Up Before Elections
The heated budget meeting revealed growing tensions as local elections approach in May. Conservative councillor Nicholas Bennett criticized Reform UK's approach, referencing Nigel Farage's attendance record in the European Parliament: "We know from Nigel Farage's behaviour in the European Parliament, where he only went to one meeting out of 34, that they don't actually do detail and hard work."
Throughout the session, political volleys flew across the council chamber, with Labour accusing Bromley's budget of having a "lack of ambition" while Conservatives labeled Labour's property investment proposals as "fiscal madness." The debate highlighted fundamental disagreements about financial management and political accountability as Bromley faces ongoing budgetary pressures.
