We want policies not prayers, say Reform critics

Opposition politicians have criticised the Reform UK administration in Essex after it announced that all full council meetings would start with the Lord's Prayer and end with the singing of the National Anthem.

Party chairwoman Karen McIvor revealed the initiative as it formally took control of Essex County Council at a meeting on Thursday.

Fellow Reform councillor Jaymey McIvor said other parties had overseen "the erosion of civic patriotism, and Reform are bringing it back".

Independent Wendy Stamp questioned why "no-one asked" what she thought about the move before the announcement was made.

"I am a supporter of the Royal Family but I don't particularly think it is democratic to be told [we have to sing the National Anthem], because I know certain residents in my community don't have that point of view," said Stamp.

"I will do whatever I feel is right but I don't like being told what to do when a democratic conversation hasn't taken place."

She also said she was concerned that councillors who were seen not joining in with the Lord's Prayer or National Anthem could be shamed on social media.

Conservative councillor Andrew Schrader said he was an "ardent monarchist" who was "perfectly happy to sing God Save the King whenever [the council] want".

But he added: "If the plan is to sort of bedazzle everybody with populist eye-catching stuff like anthems and flags, I think they're going to get to the end of their term and people will be wondering 'Where is the beef?'"

Liberal Democrat councillor Stephen Robinson said residents wanted "actions rather than symbols".

"Whether it's flags or signing bits of paper or singing the National Anthem, none of those things necessarily improve services," he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

"We want to see the substance of what they're proposing."

Unlike in Essex, Kent County Council held a vote last month before introducing the Lord's Prayer and the National Anthem at meetings.

Jaymey McIvor said a vote was not needed and it was a decision that had been taken by the council's leadership.

"Why should we have to ask whether or not British citizens want to sing the National Anthem? What a ridiculous thing to have to do," McIvor told the BBC.

"There's never a discussion about whether or not you should sing the National Anthem at a football match. I don't see what the difference is."

McIvor added that "as a party, we're proud of our Christian heritage so it's absolutely fitting to have the Lord's Prayer at the start of our meetings".

Reform won 53 seats and became the majority party on the council in last month's local election, ending the Tories' 25-year rules.

On Thursday, council leader Peter Harris said all "net stupid zero" policies would be scrapped.

Net zero refers to a state in which greenhouse gases going into the atmosphere are balanced out by those removed. The Climate Change Committee, which advises the UK and devolved governments, says achieving net zero is more cost-effective for the economy than continued reliance on fossil fuels.

It is not clear what climate initiatives will end in Essex, and a council spokesperson later said "a review process" was under way following the new administration's "direction".

Harris also announced what he coined a "pothole emergency" in the county, and said £7.5m would be found from existing resources to tackle road repairs.

A spokesperson said the number of dedicated repair crews would be increased from nine to 12.

"The new programme will be extended to cover what were previously considered to be 'non-urgent' potholes, targeting defects that impact drivers and residents every day but are not currently considered dangerous," they said.

"These will now be fixed within 90 days to prevent issues worsening over time."

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