Michael Hadwen has walked away from his position as a Reform UK political assistant at Kent County Council. This sudden move ends a four-month stint that was largely defined by a public row over his historical online activity.
Officials over in Maidstone gave the word this week that Hadwen’s taxpayer-funded desk at County Hall now sits empty. His decision to quit follows a massive, weeks-long push from rival councillors and groups fighting extremism. These critics didn’t hold back, loudly questioning if he should even be in a public office. They dug up a series of old social media posts that basically set off a political firestorm across the county.
While Kent County Council (KCC) is sticking to its usual line of not talking about specific staff, there’s no hiding that this high-profile exit is a messy end to a rough chapter. Ever since Reform UK gained significant ground in the May 2025 elections, the group’s every move in Kent has been under the microscope.
Resignation follows months of public pressure
Mr Hadwen took up the post in late 2025 to provide administrative and policy support to the council’s Reform UK members. The role offered a salary capped at spinal column point 38, which was approximately £49,282 per year. Under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, local authorities can appoint political assistants to support groups that meet specific size requirements. These staff members differ from standard civil servants because they are legally allowed to hold partisan views.
Despite this legal protection, the nature of Mr Hadwen’s past online behavior sparked an immediate outcry. Critics argued that his history went beyond simple political bias and entered the realm of extremism. This made his position untenable in a publicly funded office.
Scrutiny of historical social media activity
The controversy primarily centered on Mr Hadwen’s activity on X, formerly known as Twitter. Shortly after he started his job, the advocacy group Hope Not Hate released a report detailing his previous posts and interactions.
One post from 2018 drew particular condemnation. In response to a tweet by the Conservative politician Daniel Hannan, which argued that Enoch Powell was wrong about immigration, Hadwen stated: “Enoch was right, he was just before the times.” This was widely interpreted as a reference to Powell’s 1968 “Rivers of Blood” speech. The report also highlighted his interactions with content from far-right figures, including Tommy Robinson and Milo Yiannopoulos. Other posts scrutinized by campaigners included comments suggesting that Russia was not an enemy of the United Kingdom, posted shortly after the Salisbury poisonings.
Opposition leaders demand accountability
The Liberal Democrat and Labour groups at County Hall maintained a vocal opposition to the appointment from the outset. They argued that a role funded by the public should not be held by someone with such a controversial digital footprint.
Concerns over vetting and public funds
Antony Hook, who leads the Liberal Democrats in Kent, was among the first to sound the alarm over the hiring. He branded the position a “waste of money” and argued that the vetting checks for such a sensitive role clearly missed the mark. Now that the post is empty, Mr Hook believes the council needs to take a long, hard look at how it vets staff. He wants to prevent a repeat of this saga for all future politically sensitive roles.
Labour group leader Lauren Sullivan also raised the issue during council sessions. She questioned whether the appointment aligned with the professional standards and inclusive values that the people of Kent expect from their local government.
Allegations of procedural errors
Beyond the content of the social media posts, procedural questions also haunted Mr Hadwen’s tenure. Reports surfaced in late 2025 suggesting that Reform UK leaders introduced Mr Hadwen as their new assistant before the full council had even voted to establish the position.
Leaked video from a Reform group meeting on 17 December 2025 allegedly showed the group’s whip, Maxwell Harrison, introducing Mr Hadwen as their “new political assistant.” This happened a day before the official vote on 18 December. Government guidelines usually require a formal vote to create such roles before any recruitment can be finalised. Critics used this sequence of events to argue that the appointment lacked transparency and followed an improper timeline.
Financial implications for Kent taxpayers
The cost of the political assistant role was a significant point of contention for many Kent residents. The salary for the post is linked to spinal column point 38. This means the total cost to the taxpayer, including National Insurance and pension contributions, likely exceeded £60,000 per year.
This expenditure became a focal point for debate as Kent County Council navigated a difficult financial period. The authority currently faces a multi-million pound budget gap. To balance the books, officials have proposed various cuts to discretionary services. These include community transport and library hours. Opposition members argued that funding a partisan strategist was hard to justify while essential public services faced such significant pressure.
What next for Reform UK at County Hall?
The resignation leaves the Reform UK group, currently led by Councillor Linden Kemkaran, without its primary support staffer. The group includes several members who previously served as Conservative councillors before switching their allegiance to the party founded by Nigel Farage.
A tactical setback
Reform UK saw the political assistant role as a vital tool for professionalising their presence in Kent. Losing a key organiser just as the 2026-2027 budget cycle heats up is a heavy blow to the party’s local machinery. At this stage, the group hasn’t confirmed if they will go through the hassle of hiring a replacement. They may simply leave the £49,000 post empty until the end of the current term.
Broader impact on local governance
Political analysts suggest that the Hadwen case may lead to stricter vetting for all political appointments in local government. While the 1989 Act gives political groups a high degree of autonomy, the reputational damage to the host council can be substantial.
As Kent County Council moves into its next budget cycle, the focus will likely return to how it allocates its shrinking resources. For now, the departure of Michael Hadwen removes one of the most controversial names from the council’s payroll. The residents of Kent will be watching closely to see if the authority implements any lasting changes following this four-month saga.
