Reform welcomes decision to investigate 'toxic culture' at scandal-hit ex-Labour run council

Reform UK has welcomed the Government's decision to investigate a scandal-stricken council after the previous Labour administration left a wake of poor governance, "toxic" culture and financial mismanagement.

Basildon Council was controlled by Labour until the 2026 Local Elections, where voters propelled 10 Reform UK councillors to form a working agreement with the Tories.

Under the eye of former Labour council leader Gavin Callaghan, the authority became swamped in scandal, with councillors launching police investigations and being embroiled in public spats with residents.

However, the Government this week issued a Best Value Notice to Basildon Council – a formal, non-statutory letter issued as a warning over concerns about performance, governance, or financial sustainability.

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The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) launched the investigation, requiring the council to provide evidence of continued improvement in all metrics after "failing to meet standards".

The notice identifies concerns including governance failures, financial management, procurement and contract management, audit issues, instability in senior leadership and deteriorating relationships between councillors and officers.

One of several incidents under the former Labour administration saw Mr Callaghan – now leader of the opposition – post an AI video attacking Conservative and Reform colleagues, featuring the word "Jew" over an image of one councillor.

After being reported to Essex Police for antisemitism, the force said it would take no further action as the post "did not meet the criminal threshold".

Another incident saw Sam Journet, leader of Reform UK in Basildon and the town's recently elected mayor, arrested by Essex Police after allegations of harassment made by the then-council leader, with the force again opting to take no further action.

And a full council meeting was abruptly adjourned after Labour councillor Aidan McGurran stormed from the gallery to confront a member of the public in attendance – with broadcast footage of the meeting depicting a fiery argument between the pair.

The authority was also found to be responsible for "very serious failings" in its social housing provision – receiving a C4 rating, the lowest possible.

The Basildon Reform group was left overjoyed with the Government’s decision to intervene and welcomed action being taken.

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Councillor Journet told GB News: “This is a huge moment for Basildon. Everything Reform UK has been warning about is now being taken seriously by Government. The days of brushing concerns under the carpet are over.

"The behaviour we witnessed under Basildon Labour was disgraceful. Residents watched standards collapse, financial decisions spiral out of control, and confidence in the council hit rock bottom."

He said the Government’s notice highlights "exactly the issues residents have been asking questions about" and that residents expect public contracts to be awarded fairly, openly and in the interests of taxpayers.

The Mayor of Basildon argued that any suggestion of procurement processes having not met those standards must be investigated thoroughly and transparently and that "residents deserve complete confidence that every pound of public money has been spent properly".

Mr Journet added: “Reform UK couldn’t be happier that there will now be independent external assurance. This isn’t about scoring political points; it’s about restoring trust in our council.

“Most importantly, this is not the end of the story. This is the beginning of putting Basildon back on the right track.

"Residents deserve a council that is honest, financially responsible and focused on delivering value for taxpayers, not one constantly making headlines for the wrong reasons.

“We welcome this intervention. We will fully support every effort to improve the council, cooperate with the review process and ensure lessons are learned. Basildon can and must do better.”

Recently elected Tory council leader Andy Barnes echoed that problems “did not emerge overnight”, and the notice comes “after years of concerns being raised by councillors and external auditors”.

Local Government Minister Alison McGovern has vowed to commission an independent review into the council to report by the end of October this year.

The notice mentions "concerns about member conduct and culture" and cites "significant instability" in council leadership, with a turnover of seven monitoring officers within an 18 month period.

The Government also pointed to "significant audit and assurance concerns, including the backlog of accounts".

The Government has asked the council to "continue to implement and measure cultural change, particularly in improving relationships between members, as well as officers and members".

Mr Callaghan, Labour leader of the opposition who ran the council from May 2024 to May this year, previously issued a public apology for aspects of his conduct during his time leading the council.

Welcoming the Government's decision this week, Basildon's Labour leader said: "For many months, Labour councillors have raised serious concerns about the way the council is being run.

"This review is an opportunity to restore confidence in the way the council operates," he added.

The notice will remain in place indefinitely and will be reviewed after 12 months.

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