# Staffordshire council faces fourth Reform leader since May 2025 election

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/fresh-chaos-on-reform-run-staffordshire-county-council-as-it-gets-a-fourth-leader-since-last-years-local-elections/
- Published: 2026-10-27T16:53:11+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-27T17:07:52+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16243161/Fresh-chaos-Reform-run-Staffordshire-County-Council-gets-FOURTH-leader-years-local-elections.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: Art, Culture, Elections, Geopolitics, Politics, World

## Key points

- Martin Murray has resigned as Staffordshire County Council leader.
- Hayley Coles will take over as acting leader.
- The council is set to appoint its fourth leader since May 2025.

## Summary

Reform UK’s leadership of Staffordshire County Council has changed again, with Martin Murray resigning as council leader and leader of the party’s council group. He said stepping down was in the best interests of Staffordshire and its residents, but gave no specific reason; Hayley Coles will serve as acting leader.

Reform won control of the council in May 2025, but Murray is the third leader to leave since then, meaning the authority is set to have its fourth leader since the local elections. Ian Cooper resigned in December after his party membership was revoked over allegations about racist social media posts. Chris Large took over early this year and later quit after alleged racist activity appeared on a TikTok account bearing his name; he denied responsibility. A full council meeting on 10 December is due to select a permanent leader and deputy.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.