Ex-Reform UK councillor joins new party

A City of Doncaster councillor who quit Reform UK over "instability" and "internal infighting" has joined a new party.

Christopher Marriott, who represents the Armthorpe ward, is the city's second councillor to move from Reform UK to Advance UK after Nicola Brown defected in December.

Marriott said Reform UK had become "overly centred" on party leader Nigel Farage, whose leadership had "shifted focus away from key areas like Doncaster despite the party's strong performance there".

Reform UK did not respond to a request for comment in response.

Marriott said the party had "lost its way" nationally, with this impacting local representatives.

"This has led to instability within the Doncaster Reform group, marked by internal infighting and the recent resignation of the group leader," he said.

He said he decided to join Advance UK after speaking with leader Ben Habib, the former Reform UK deputy leader.

"I am convinced this is the right move for my ward constituents and for me personally," he said.

He had been sitting as an independent since leaving Reform UK in October, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

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