In a stunning political move that has sent shockwaves through local government, Ben Habib, the high-profile deputy leader of Reform UK, has been forcibly removed from Leicestershire County Council.
The dramatic ousting came after a no-confidence motion, tabled by the council's Conservative group, passed successfully. The motion accused Mr. Habib of neglecting his local duties and "bringing the council into disrepute" through his extensive commitments as a media commentator and national political figure.
The Core of the Controversy
Councillors voted to remove Mr. Habib from his position, arguing that his focus was squarely on national issues rather than the constituents he was elected to serve in the Melton Wolds division. The Conservatives alleged that his frequent television appearances and political campaigning for Reform UK came at the direct expense of his council work.
Mr. Habib, a former Brexit Party MEP and a key ally of Nigel Farage, has vehemently denied the allegations. He has framed the motion as a "politically motivated attack" designed to silence a vocal government critic.
A Clash of Priorities
The conflict highlights the growing tension between local council responsibilities and national political ambitions. Habib maintains that his work holding the government to account on major issues like immigration and the economy is a vital public service.
However, his opponents on the council counter that a fundamental duty of any councillor is to their local community first. They claim his absenteeism and lack of engagement with parish councils and local matters demonstrated a clear failure in this primary obligation.
This incident marks a significant moment for Reform UK, testing its ability to manage representatives who straddle the line between local governance and national political warfare.
