Fourth Tory councillor defects to Reform

Reform UK has announced another Tory councillor has defected to the party in Stoke-on-Trent.

Carl Edwards represents the Baddeley, Milton & Norton ward and said had he joined the Conservatives to "get Brexit done".

He added he had watched "promise after promise broken" by his former party.

The Conservatives said Edwards' decision had come as a shock and it was "disappointing" he no longer felt the party aligned with his beliefs.

In January, Chandra Kanneganti and Heather Jellyman crossed the floor from the Tories to join Reform UK.

They followed former Tory group leader Dan Jellyman, who defected to Reform UK in November.

Reform UK won its first seat on the authority at a by-election in May, which was won by Luke Shenton - who represents the Birches Head and Northwood ward.

Edwards said in a statement on Wednesday: "I am proud to be joining Reform UK as I believe it is the only party serious about fixing the problems facing our country.

"It is a party that recognises Britain is broken and is offering the bold, common sense plan needed to put it right."

He added: "I had previously joined the Conservatives to get Brexit done and to level up communities like Stoke-on-Trent.

"However, like so many loyal members and voters, I've watched promise after promise broken."

He said he believed Brexit was not properly delivered, and that levelling up had become an empty slogan.

A Reform UK spokesman said Edward was an "excellent addition" to its team in Stoke-on-Trent.

Lorraine Beardmore, leader of the Conservative group, said Edwards' decision had come as a shock and that it was disappointing that he no longer felt the national party aligned with his beliefs.

"I respect his decision and wish him well for the future," she said.

"Myself and the group thank him for his service as a Conservative councillor, he will be missed."

Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.