Ex-Reform UK councillors create new group on Sheffield City Council – BBC
Two former Reform UK councillors have formed the New Chartist Reform Group on Sheffield City Council. Mick Lee and Robert Hanson say the group will represent residents across their wards and focus on local issues, including disability and anti-social behaviour.
Lee and Hanson were elected in May, when Reform UK won 12 council seats. Lee left the party to sit as an independent, while Reform said Hanson was no longer a member; both say they felt pushed out amid disagreements over the council group’s leadership. They describe themselves as centre left and centre right respectively, and say their two-member group will seek support from councillors across the council.
- Two former Reform councillors have formed a Sheffield council group.
- The New Chartist Reform Group will have two members.
- They cite local representation, disability and anti-social behaviour as priorities.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A separate group could give Lee and Hanson more freedom to represent their wards and focus on practical local concerns, without disputes over Reform UK’s leadership shaping their work. Their differing political outlooks may also help them build support across party lines on specific council issues.
The case against
Leaving or being removed from the party and forming a two-member group may weaken the councillors’ ability to advance the platform on which Reform UK voters elected them. A small group could also have less influence in council decisions, while disagreements over leadership may make it harder to sustain a clear shared programme.