Robert Hanson, elected as a Sheffield councillor on the Reform UK ticket in May, was removed from the party after refusing to pay membership fees in August. Hanson, who initially ran as a non-member candidate to support his wife's role in the local Reform branch, claims the party knowingly allowed his candidacy despite his unaffiliated status but later demanded he formalise membership or face expulsion.

Following his removal, Hanson has publicly criticised Reform as disorganised and unprofessional, and has alleged the party discriminated against him as a blind person whilst treating his wife dismissively in her role as his carer and political assistant. He intends to continue serving as an independent councillor. Reform UK responded that Hanson was offered multiple opportunities to join by email and telephone but consistently refused.