"A great addition to our growing team": Ribble Valley Borough Councillor Ian Brown joins Reform UK

Reform UK has today, (February 25), welcomed Ribble Valley Borough Councillor Ian Brown to the party.

Cllr Brown, who represents the Salthill ward, becomes the party’s second councillor on the local authority, forming Reform UK’s first group.

Ian, who was an Independent councillor, has lived in Clitheroe for 54 years with his wife, Pat, of 55 years, and together, they share three children and six grandchildren.

Prior to his work as a council member, Ian worked as an office furniture salesman and is an active member of his local cricket and tennis clubs.

Cllr Ian Brown said: “Today, I am proud to join Reform as I believe our great country needs strong leadership. Nigel Farage and his team are the only ones who can make Britain strong again after the mess left by previous Governments.

“Reform’s leadership will cascade down to dedicated and committed Reform councillors in our towns and cities who will work tirelessly to improve their local areas.

“I look forward to continuing my work as a Reform UK council member alongside my new colleague to deliver real change to Ribble Valley.”

Welcoming Cllr Brown, a Reform UK spokesman said: “Ian is a great addition to our growing team of Reform UK councillors. We are delighted that he has joined, forming a Reform group on the local authority.”

Other local councillors in Lancashire that have defected to reform include South Ribble Borough Councillor Mathew Forshaw , who switched from the Conservatives in October 2025; Burnley Councillor Alan Hosker who joined in August 2025, having previously represented both UKIP and the Conservatives, and Burnely councillor Jeff Sumner who defected from the Liveral Democrats also in August.