Reform council to recite Lord's Prayer at meetings

Kent County Council is introducing the Lord's Prayer and the national anthem at its meetings.

The Reform UK-run local authority voted for each meeting to begin with a recital of the prayer and conclude with the singing of the anthem.

The constitutional amendments were put forward after debate in a council committee earlier in May and backed by Reform, but opposed by many opposition councillors.

In total 48 representatives voted to support the Lord's Prayer proposal and 46 to support the national anthem.

Amendments to instead have a period of reflection prior to meetings instead of the Lord's Prayer, and to have a time gap between the prayer and the meeting's start, both failed.

Reform council leader Linden Kemkaran told the meeting the prayer "unites us in this country in a common identity, which is very important".

"I see it as a pause to remember that we are all accountable for our words and deeds," she said.

Reform councillor Christopher Hespe said: "It's about standards, it's about patriotism, it's about heritage and it's about our roots."

But some opposition councillors spoke against the proposals.

Green councillor Rob Yates described the changes as "a ridiculous farce" and said he was "not paid by taxpayers to sing songs and pray".

Liberal Democrat group leader Antony Hook said the moves would "horrify people" and there "hasn't been any" public consultation.

"We are a multi-faith country and we certainly have been for all of my life," he told the meeting.

A proposal to reduce the time opposition leaders had to respond to leader speeches at full council meetings, from a combined 22 minutes to 17 minutes, was also voted through.

In total 44 voted in favour of that change and 25 voted against it.

Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram and listen to BBC Radio Kent on Sounds. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.