Reform UK's Council Leader Slammed for Suppressive Threat Against Labour Councillor
The leader of Reform UK-run Worcestershire county council, Jo Monk, has been accused by a local councillor of attempting to stifle opposition through an "authoritarian" cease and desist letter. Ed Kimberley, a Labour councillor, received the letter in late November demanding he stop mentioning Monk's name in public.
According to Kimberley, the letter falsely claimed that his videos misrepresented Monk and contributed to her harassment by members of the public. However, Kimberley denies these allegations, calling them "politically motivated" and saying there is no legal basis for the demands.
"This is a party that is auditioning for government," Kimberley warned. "They have already resorted to Stalinist tactics early into a local administration. What happens if they get into power?"
Monk's cease and desist letter called for the immediate removal of three videos published by Kimberley, including one where he criticizes Reform as "the new nasty party" and "the new party of the school bully." In another video, Kimberley accused Reform councillors of supporting a Facebook group that encourages people to display England flags.
Kimberley said he was simply trying to hold local politicians accountable and provide information about the county council. He wrote in response to Monk: "Your demand that I 'cease making any public mention' of your name or referring to you or Reform UK is breathtakingly authoritarian."
Monk has declined to comment on the matter, citing an ongoing investigation and potential legal action.
The leader of Reform UK-run Worcestershire county council, Jo Monk, has been accused by a local councillor of attempting to stifle opposition through an "authoritarian" cease and desist letter. Ed Kimberley, a Labour councillor, received the letter in late November demanding he stop mentioning Monk's name in public.
According to Kimberley, the letter falsely claimed that his videos misrepresented Monk and contributed to her harassment by members of the public. However, Kimberley denies these allegations, calling them "politically motivated" and saying there is no legal basis for the demands.
"This is a party that is auditioning for government," Kimberley warned. "They have already resorted to Stalinist tactics early into a local administration. What happens if they get into power?"
Monk's cease and desist letter called for the immediate removal of three videos published by Kimberley, including one where he criticizes Reform as "the new nasty party" and "the new party of the school bully." In another video, Kimberley accused Reform councillors of supporting a Facebook group that encourages people to display England flags.
Kimberley said he was simply trying to hold local politicians accountable and provide information about the county council. He wrote in response to Monk: "Your demand that I 'cease making any public mention' of your name or referring to you or Reform UK is breathtakingly authoritarian."
Monk has declined to comment on the matter, citing an ongoing investigation and potential legal action.
jo monk's cease and desist letter sounds super fishy to me, especially since ed kimberley has nothin but the truth on his side 
it's one thing to have a disagreement, but tryin to stifle opposition through legal threats? that's not democracy, fam 
i'm worried about reform uk's intentions if they're gonna start resortin' to this kinda tactic when they get into power 
. I mean, can't they just have a public debate or discussion about their policies instead of trying to silence critics? The fact that Ed Kimberley was accused of harassment by the letter is just ridiculous 
. It's all about freedom of speech and holding people in power accountable, you know? 
This is some serious overreach by Jo Monk and her team 
. I mean, threatening a councillor for just doing their job? It's like they're trying to silence dissenting voices 
. Ed Kimberley was right to call out the "Stalinist tactics" - it's not exactly what you'd expect from someone who's supposed to be working in public service 
. What really gets me is that Monk and her party are already trying to make a big deal about this, but the fact remains that Kimberley didn't do anything wrong 
. It just goes to show that some people will stop at nothing to maintain power 
. Can you imagine what they'd do if they actually got into government? 
Not cool at all.