Overview
- Conservative council leader Jeremy Kite confirmed Buchan has joined the Tory group and will sit with the ruling majority on Dartford Borough Council.
- Buchan won the Stone House ward in a July by-election for Reform UK and has not resigned the seat.
- In a statement, he criticised Reform's lack of experience and reliance on slogans, and said the indefinite leave to remain proposal creates fear for law-abiding residents.
- Reform UK called the switch a betrayal and demanded he resign, while citing a claimed gain of 112 councillors nationally since May.
- Labour figures used the defection to argue Reform is unstable in Kent, with MP Jim Dickson saying the party is "falling apart."