A FORMER Reform UK councillor at Shire Hall has been accused of “betraying” voters by defecting to Restore Britain.
Michael Rees, who represents Cam Valley, is the far-right party’s first councillor at Gloucestershire County Council.
He said his decision to defect to the party founded by Great Yarmouth MP Rupert Lowe has come from “dissatisfaction” with “those at the top of the Reform UK party”.
“I believe that they are no longer the party I once chose to stand, vote and campaign for and that Restore Britain now better represents my values,” he said.
But Reform UK say they are disappointed by Cllr Rees’ decision to “turn his back” on Reform volunteers who helped get him elected last year.
“We are disappointed that Michael has chosen to betray his residents who voted for Reform just last year,” a Reform UK spokesperson said.
“Many Reform members volunteered their time, money and effort to get Reform representatives like Michael elected last year. For him to turn his back on them in favour of a party that has yet to receive a single vote in our county is staggering.”
Responding to Reform’s comments, Cllr Rees said he was “disappointed” but “not surprised”.
“I feel it is hypocritical seeing as the party have accepted many defections in the past,” he said.
“However, I still wish them the best in the future.”
The County Council’s Liberal Democrat leader Lisa Spivey (South Cerney) said the latest defection “add to a growing pattern of instability” in Reform UK.
“Recent tracking has recorded numerous Reform councillors across the country either resigning, being suspended or leaving the party,” she said.
“The movement of former Reform councillors to Restore Britain is further evidence of fragmentation on the right.
“My wider concern, however, is the increasingly divisive politics we are seeing on the far right with rhetoric which does not seek to address the very real problems individuals, communities and businesses are facing, but simply seeks to stoke tension.”
The political composition of Gloucestershire County Council is now 27 Lib Dems, nine Greens, nine Reform UK councillors, six Conservatives, two Independents, one Labour member and one Restore Britain representative.
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