Richard Bingley, a councillor with a history of switching parties, is standing for Reform UK in the upcoming Thurrock council elections on 7 May. His political journey has taken him from the Conservatives to Labour, then Ukip, back to the Tories, and now to Reform.
Bingley's most recent political downfall came in Plymouth, where he resigned as Conservative council leader after authorizing the felling of 110 mature trees in the city centre to make way for a £12m regeneration scheme. The trees were cut down at night, fenced off, and guarded, sparking national outrage.
Before Plymouth, Bingley served as a Labour press officer for the east of England and worked for Unison and the Campaign Against Arms Trade. He switched to Ukip in 2014, becoming the party's spokesperson on terrorism and standing for parliament twice. He later returned to the Conservatives in 2021 before joining Reform.
Former colleagues describe Bingley as elusive and busy with side interests, including security work and podcasts. One former opponent noted, 'He rose without trace' in Plymouth, adding that his departure may be Thurrock's loss as well.
