Three independent councillors defect to Reform UK

Three independent district councillors in Nottinghamshire have announced they have defected to Reform UK.

Mick Barton, Barry Answer, and Martin Wright, who were elected to Mansfield District Council in May 2023, will make up the new Reform UK group at the authority.

It comes after Nigel Farage called on Conservative county councillors to defect to the party.

Ashfield MP Lee Anderson, who defected to Reform UK in March after losing the Tory whip, said the three councillors represented the first Reform UK councillors in Nottinghamshire.

Answer represents Rufford while Wright and Barton both represent the Forest Town ward.

Barton, who was formerly the leader of the Mansfield Independents, said: "After several meetings and much discussion, we are looking forward to working with members and local residents as we aim to make a difference both nationally and locally.

"The political landscape has changed so we have to change with it in order to serve our constituents to the fullest.

"We have had great support from local residents we've spoken with and were encouraged to make this move and can only visualise the support growing in the future.

"I, myself, have been a local councillor 21 years and bring a lot of experience from the roles I've undertaken within the local council and know what's needed."

Anderson said he was "delighted" the councillors had decided "to get on board with the people's army".

He added: "Councillors from all over the country are joining us because they know that Reform UK is the only party that is taking the fight to Labour and Keir Starmer.

"This is just a peek into what's to come as droves of Reform UK councillors are elected by the British people in May 2025.

"Let this be a warning to both the Labour and Conservative Party - we are coming for you."

Follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.