Lancashire County Councillor Nigel Swales has become the first councillor in the country to defect from Reform UK to the Labour Party. Swales, who was elected to represent the ward of Skelmersdale East on Lancashire County Council in 2025, said he made the switch following growing concerns about Reform's ability to deliver at a local level.
Reform's 2025 county council victory
Swales was part of a wave of councillors elected to the county council in 2025 as Reform took control, winning 53 out of 84 seats. Confirming his defection to Labour, the councillor said he found that the party he was elected to represent did not have a "serious plan" for real change.
Councillor's statement on leaving Reform
In a statement, Swales said: "I stood for election because I wanted to make a difference for the people I represent. Since then, the Party has been embroiled in scandal and I've seen first-hand that Reform simply doesn't have a serious plan or the leadership needed to deliver real change."
"People in Lancashire deserve representatives focused on getting things done rather than generating headlines, sowing division or playing political games."
Labour's response to the defection
Swales added: "Labour is focusing on the issues that matter to people here - jobs, better public services, safer communities and putting more money in people's pockets. I'm proud to be joining the Labour Party and look forward to working with Labour colleagues to deliver for residents. That's what politics should be about."
A Labour North West Spokesperson said: "We're delighted to welcome Nigel Swales to the Labour Party. This first defection from Reform to Labour speaks volumes and we expect there will be many more. People who have seen Reform up close are discovering that behind the slogans there simply isn't a serious plan for governing or improving people's lives."
"Labour is bringing people together around a positive plan for Lancashire - focused on delivery the change that communities across the county deserve." The ECHO has reached out to Reform UK for a response.
