TWO Warwickshire Reform UK councillors have defected to a newly formed far-right party.
Coun Scott Cameron, Warwickshire County Council’s Coleshill South and Arley representative, and Studley representative Coun Luke Cooper have joined Restore Britain.
The new far-right party was formed at the beginning of February by former Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe, who represents Great Yarmouth in Norfolk.
He initially set up Restore Britain as a “political movement” after he was suspended from Reform UK last March but he now says it will be a “national political party”.
Mr Lowe’s suspension by Reform UK came after allegations he made threats of physical violence against then party chairman Zia Yusuf.
The Crown Prosecution Service later said there was insufficient evidence for a “realistic prospect of conviction”.
Coun Cameron and Coun Cooper’s proposed move follows the news that seven former Reform UK councillors on Kent County Council have joined Restore Britain.
WCC leader Coun George Finch confirmed he has removed the Reform UK whip from the two councillors.
He continued: “Coun Cameron and Coun Cooper have indicated that they are planning to defect to Restore Britain. In these circumstances, it is not appropriate for them to continue to represent Reform UK or sit within our group.
“Reform UK in Warwickshire is here to deliver for residents – not to indulge in stunts designed to create headlines at the expense of local colleagues. I will not allow the hard work of our councillors and volunteers to be undermined.”
A Reform UK spokesman added: “Councillors Cooper and Cameron have been expelled from Reform UK with immediate effect.
“We are disappointed that they have betrayed their electors and the mandate they were given in order to become affiliated with a movement that is not even registered with the Electoral Commission. Reform UK has a zero tolerance approach to those that plan to betray our hard working members that got them elected in the first place.
“Reform UK is the only realistic chance of fixing broken Britain and getting rid of the two party system.”
Coun Cameron and Coun Cooper have been approached for comment.
