Embarrassment For Reform UK As Councillor Quits Party On Live TV

A Reform UK councillor dramatically quit the party live on television.

David Taylor, a former deputy leader of Worcestershire County Council, said he did not agree with the party’s plans to put up council tax in the area despite previous promises not to.

He also said there were “several other policy decisions that have been made that I don’t stand by, and I can’t stand by”.

Councillor Taylor, who was only elected less than a year ago, was appearing on BBC Politics Midlands on Sunday when he dropped his bombshell.

He said: “I think if you go into politics with your eyes open and you do your research, you understand that there are issues at most councils, and unfortunately most councils are massively underfunded by central government and have been for many years.

“My take on this is I walked in here today as a Reform county councillor, I won’t be leaving this studio as a Reform county councillor.

“I’ve had several issues with the running of the council, from a political perspective and from an office perspective.

“Council tax is one of those issues. I think we could have made decisions sooner, and I think leaving it this late in the day to make cuts and to expect people who are already not doing so well ... to pay more council tax, I just don’t think I can support that.”

Asked by the presenter if he was quitting Reform, Taylor said: “As from today, I will be an independent county councillor. There are several other policy decisions that have been made that I don’t stand by, and I can’t stand by.”

A Reform UK Worcestershire spokesman said: “Unfortunately, Councillor Taylor has never been prepared to undertake the role of a councillor to the extent we feel is required, and when we’ve challenged him on this he’s chosen to resign.”

They added: “Reform inherited Worcestershire County Council in exceptional financial measures after more than two decades of Conservative mismanagement.

“Sadly, this means that council tax will have to rise to keep the council solvent, however the Reform administration is working around the clock to ensure this increase is kept as low as possible.”