These three Ribble Valley councillors have defected to Reform UK

Three Ribble Valley councillors have defected to Reform UK. One claims Britain is in a ‘complete mess’ and he joined Reform partly because his father, who fought in the Second World War, ‘would have been shocked’ at issues today.

Ian Brown and Derek Brocklehurst, both formerly independents, and Richard Newmark, who was a Conservative, have all moved to Reform.It means the council now has four Reform councillors, including Stephen Atkinson, who moved to Reform last year and is also Lancashire County Council’s leader. But the Ribble Valley remains Conservative-led.

Of 40 borough councillors, there now 16 Conservatives, six Lib-Dems, five Labour, four Green & Progressive Liberals, four Reform UK and five independents. Its political make-up has changed a lot in just a few years, including the arrival of Green and Labour councillors. There are no elections scheduled for Ribble Valley elections this May.

Speaking about his change of heart, Ian Brown said: “I’ve thought about joining Reform for a long time. In my view, most parties have lost their way and the country is in a complete mess. Most parties promise everything and deliver nothing. We need change.

“I also thought about my father who fought in the war. He would have been taken aback about how things are going in this country today. And others of his generation would have been horrified about what’s happening now.

“There are the big issues with immigration, asylum, housing, the cost of living, crime and the police. The law is a mess. Workers are being sacked for approaching shoplifters. The world has gone mad.

“I also believe Reform has good policies on many issues including inheritance tax for farmers, the hospitality sector, tax relief and business rates.”

Coun Brown was initially elected as a Conservative but then became an independent. In 2023 he was elected again, standing formally as an independent.

He said:” In life and politics, we have to do what we think is right. I’m still the same person despite changing parties. My ethics are still the same. And I know where my responsibility lies – with the people who elected me.”

He is chairman of Ribble Valley’s licensing committee, which has had to deal with issues including bar and club disturbance to residents in Whalley, and on the planning committee. On his relationship with other councillors, he said: “I try not to play party politics. I aim to have good working relationships with everyone. I’m the only non-Tory committee chairman and I work well with Simon Hore, the Conservative council leader. But ultimately, the ruling group will decide who chairs each committee. And I will stand or fall by my decisions.”

NO BY-ELECTIONS

In recent years, concerns have arisen over some Ribble Valley councillors defecting to alternative parties without a by-election being called, to give voters a say. New groups of Progressive Liberals, Reform and independents have emerged with some councillors originally elected under another party banner. Councillors can legally swap parties without a by-election.

Coun Brown said: “A lot of councillors have changed parties and I’ve said there should be by-elections when this happens. But the next Ribble Valley elections are in 2027 so I don’t think it would be worthwhile holding any by-elections now. I’m not a hypocrite – that’s just the way things are scheduled.”

There are no elections scheduled for Ribble Valley elections this May. The next ones will be in 2027 when councillors are expected to stand for a brand-new authority covering the Ribble Valley, Preston and Lancaster.

He added: “I’d prefer the existing boroughs to remain but I’d like to stand for a future local authority, whatever it is. I actually like being a councillor – although some people think I’m mad. I’m just a normal guy but I’d love to carry on being a councillor in future. The more people standing for election, the better. The more choice that voters have, the better. Ultimately, the public will decide.”