Conservative councillor defects to Reform UK

A former Conservative councillor has defected to Reform UK, saying he was "really impressed" by the party's leader.

Councillor John Cook-Woodman, who has represented Highbridge and Burnham South for more than 16 years, has defected to Reform UK, which now holds three seats on Somerset Council.

Cook-Woodman said he believes the party's leader Nigel Farage has great purpose, adding: "He's never been thrown off one way or the other. And I'm really impressed with that."

Diogo Rodrigues, Conservative group leader for the council, said he was disappointed, adding: "John was elected by residents as a Conservative councillor and that role was entrusted to him based on the Conservative values."

The Liberal Democrats are the council's largest party, holding 62 of its 110 seats.

The Conservatives remain the official opposition with 31 seats, followed by the Greens and Labour with five each, independents or non-aligned councillors have four, and Reform UK now has three.

Cook-Woodman was in charge of highways when the Conservatives previously ran the council.

He said he was not approached by Reform UK to defect, but felt the party was "best-placed to deliver for Somerset".

Cook-Woodman said he had "enjoyed" his time in the Conservatives and felt they had "achieved some wonderful things".

He has lived in Somerset most of his life, with his family operating a shoemaking business in Burnham-on-Sea for 150 years.

Outside of politics, he is a self-employed electrician and landlord.

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