Reform UK's general secretary, Tom Waterhouse, has left his role after 16 months, as party leader Nigel Farage seeks to improve the vetting of potential candidates. The departure comes amid concerns over how the party handles issues with candidates and elected officials.
Departure and Responsibilities
Party officials said Waterhouse was leaving to “spend more time with his family.” However, he was responsible for checking the background and suitability of potential candidates, and the Express understands he has left as part of a drive to improve how this is done. Senior figures have also been concerned that the party is failing to act appropriately once issues arise with candidates already in place, and with Reform politicians after they are elected.
Recent Scandals Involving Reform Figures
George Madgwick, a Reform UK councillor on Hampshire County Council, was charged earlier this month with 35 offences, including 12 counts of rape. He leads the Reform UK group on Hampshire County Council and is also a councillor on Portsmouth City Council. Madgwick has been bailed to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on November 25.
In an ITV News report last year, Reform councillors in the West Midlands were filmed making racist comments. Councillor Alan Feeney apologised, resigned from the party, and resigned from posts on Solihull Council and Birmingham City Council after he was recorded saying an area was “infested” with Asian families and called them “absolute parasites.”
Recruitment Challenges and Next Steps
While the older parties have a large network of councillors, MPs, and longstanding candidates, Reform has been forced to recruit large numbers at speed since the party’s popularity exploded and Farage set out to make it a viable contender to form a government at Westminster.
A Reform UK spokesman confirmed: “Tom Waterhouse has left his role with Reform UK. The party leader has now appointed an interim general secretary.”
