Tory chairman defects to Reform for election

A Conservative council leader will stand for Reform UK in this May's local government elections because he feels "let down" by his party.

After more than a decade of service, Gloucestershire County Council's chairman Vernon Smith will stand for Reform in the elections on 1 May.

He said he made the decision after "a lot of soul-searching" but after becoming disillusioned with the Tories nationally, he decided to join Reform.

The Conservative Party has been approached for comment.

"I feel the Conservatives have just let me down," the Tewkesbury East Division councillor said.

"They've [the Conservatives] said things I totally agree with in terms of the economy and efficiency, but they haven't done it," he said.

Mr Smith added that the potential for a unitary authority would provide opportunities for better local services.

Councillor Smith said he was concerned about the levels of immigration in the UK in recent years.

"We're just a tiny island at the end of the day. We can't keep taking in migration indefinitely," he said.

He said he was also concerned about the impact that new homes planned for the "garden city" near Tewkesbury will have on flooding in the area.

And while he agrees with moves to tackle climate change, he does not believe it should be to the detriment of people.

Councillor Smith is thought to be the only serving councillor at Shire Hall who will be standing for Reform UK in this year's election.

Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.