Reform councillor defections 'regrettable' - leader

A local authority controlled by Reform UK said it was "regrettable" that two of its councillors had defected to Rupert Lowe's Restore Britain party.

North Northamptonshire councillors Darren Rance and Jack Goncalvez quit Reform this week, with Goncalvez stating that Reform had "reneged" on its "founding purpose".

Both will initially sit as independents since Restore Britain, which Lowe launched last week, is not yet recognised by the Electoral Commission.

The authority's leader, Martin Griffiths, said it was "disappointing" that the pair had "chosen to leave the group, particularly given the support, mentoring and training" they had received since being elected last year.

In a lengthy post on X outlining his change of political allegiance, Goncalvez, who represents Rushden Lakes ward, accused Reform's national leadership of trying to integrate "themselves into the socialite circuit that runs our country [rather] than challenging it".

He wrote: "Only a Restore Britain government under the leadership of Rupert Lowe has what it takes to restore our once-proud nation."

Rance, of Brickhill & Queensway ward, did not respond to a request for comment.

Great Yarmouth MP Lowe, also formerly of Reform, initially set up Restore Britain as a "political movement" after he was suspended from Reform UK last March.

It is now expected to act as an umbrella political party, with locally based political parties as partners.

Griffiths said the timing of the pair's defection, on the eve of the council's budget meeting, was "especially regrettable".

He said: "Budget setting is one of the most serious responsibilities this council has. The decision to step away at this point suggests a different view of that responsibility than the one we hold as a group.

"Restore Britain is not a serious political movement and they will now sit as independent councillors.

"Our focus remains on delivering a responsible budget and getting on with the job residents expect us to do."

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