News
November 04, 2025
Reform UK’s DOGE chief takes aim at ‘pathetic’ questions on council savings drive
Richard Tice advised POLITICO to “grow up” when asked if he had given up on seeking a data-sharing agreement with Kent County Council
**Reform UK’s DOGE chief takes aim at ‘pathetic’ questions on council savings drive**
Richard Tice, the leader of Reform UK and self-proclaimed "Director-General of Everything" (DOGE), has lashed out at journalists questioning the progress of his party’s proposed savings drive within Kent County Council. The outburst came after POLITICO inquired about the status of a potential data-sharing agreement between Reform UK and the council, intended to identify areas where savings could be made.
Tice, known for his outspoken style, dismissed the line of questioning as "pathetic" and advised the publication to "grow up." This response suggests potential roadblocks in the efforts to secure the data-sharing agreement, a crucial component of Reform UK's strategy to streamline council spending.
Reform UK has been vocal about its commitment to identifying and eliminating wasteful spending within local government. The party believes that data analysis can reveal inefficiencies and redundancies that would otherwise go unnoticed. A data-sharing agreement with Kent County Council would provide Reform UK with the necessary information to conduct a thorough review of the council's finances and operations.
The party's vision involves leveraging data to pinpoint areas where services could be delivered more efficiently, potentially through technology adoption, process optimization, or even the elimination of unnecessary programs. The savings identified would then be reinvested in essential services or used to reduce the burden on taxpayers.
However, securing such an agreement can be a complex process, often involving legal and logistical hurdles. Concerns about data privacy and security need to be addressed, and the council must be satisfied that the proposed data analysis will be conducted responsibly and ethically.
Tice's frustration suggests that negotiations with Kent County Council may not be proceeding as smoothly as Reform UK had hoped. While the party remains committed to its savings drive, the path forward may require overcoming significant obstacles. The incident highlights the challenges faced by Reform UK as it seeks to translate its vision of efficient governance into practical realities at the local level. Whether Tice's combative approach will ultimately help or hinder the party's efforts remains to be seen.
Richard Tice, the leader of Reform UK and self-proclaimed "Director-General of Everything" (DOGE), has lashed out at journalists questioning the progress of his party’s proposed savings drive within Kent County Council. The outburst came after POLITICO inquired about the status of a potential data-sharing agreement between Reform UK and the council, intended to identify areas where savings could be made.
Tice, known for his outspoken style, dismissed the line of questioning as "pathetic" and advised the publication to "grow up." This response suggests potential roadblocks in the efforts to secure the data-sharing agreement, a crucial component of Reform UK's strategy to streamline council spending.
Reform UK has been vocal about its commitment to identifying and eliminating wasteful spending within local government. The party believes that data analysis can reveal inefficiencies and redundancies that would otherwise go unnoticed. A data-sharing agreement with Kent County Council would provide Reform UK with the necessary information to conduct a thorough review of the council's finances and operations.
The party's vision involves leveraging data to pinpoint areas where services could be delivered more efficiently, potentially through technology adoption, process optimization, or even the elimination of unnecessary programs. The savings identified would then be reinvested in essential services or used to reduce the burden on taxpayers.
However, securing such an agreement can be a complex process, often involving legal and logistical hurdles. Concerns about data privacy and security need to be addressed, and the council must be satisfied that the proposed data analysis will be conducted responsibly and ethically.
Tice's frustration suggests that negotiations with Kent County Council may not be proceeding as smoothly as Reform UK had hoped. While the party remains committed to its savings drive, the path forward may require overcoming significant obstacles. The incident highlights the challenges faced by Reform UK as it seeks to translate its vision of efficient governance into practical realities at the local level. Whether Tice's combative approach will ultimately help or hinder the party's efforts remains to be seen.
Category:
Politics