Reform UK has lost over 50 newly-elected councillors in just over five months, according to new figures from an online tracker set up by campaign group Best For Britain.
The party, led by Nigel Farage, is losing a member of its 2026 intake every three days on average due to resignations, defections and suspensions. The tracker reveals Reform has shed 51 council representatives who were elected in May.
Questions over Farage's leadership
The latest update raises questions about Mr Farage's ability to lead a party into government. Julia Meadon, the group's director of digital, told The Mirror: "We’ve been closely monitoring Reform UK’s shambolic approach to local government - and surprise, surprise, their councillors are quitting and being turfed out in their droves.
"While Farage slurps oysters and sips champagne with billionaires, the people elected to represent Britain’s communities - who said they could be trusted to take care of the vulnerable, to run our libraries, and keep our streets clean - are walking out the door. Just imagine what they’d do if trusted with our economy, our NHS and our armed forces."
Recent resignations and suspensions
Among recent resignations is Solihull councillor Eleonora Gough, who said the local group had become "divisive and unprofessional rather than constructive". In her resignation letter last month she said: "I am not the first to reach this conclusion and I doubt I will be the last. My decision is final."
Three representatives walked away from the Reform group in Plymouth last month - two joining Restore Britain and one becoming an independent. Last month Newcastle councillor Daniel Astley was expelled from the party after previous links to the far-right Homeland Party came to light.
He said in a statement: "On the Homeland Party, I do not accept the characterisation of 'extremist' given, as mentioned, I believe their policies at the time to have been very close to Reform’s policies now. I have not had any contact with them since last year, I have never worked on policy, attended a conference or organised elections for them."
Those currently suspended include Sunderland City councillor Glenn Gibbins, 66, who has been charged with posting a grossly offensive comment about Nigerians on social media. He was first suspended by Reform in May after the post came to light, but then reinstated. However he was suspended again after legal proceedings started.
Reform's May gains under scrutiny
Reform UK gained 1,451 councillors and took control of 14 councils across England in May this year. Back in August, when the tracker was launched, Best For Britain’s chief executive Naomi Smith told The Mirror: "Whether they've resigned, been suspended, or were simply never up to the job, Reform UK have been shedding councillors ever since May. So much for the tidal wave about to break over British politics, this is a party that would struggle to run a bath."
The Mirror has contacted Reform UK for comment.
