Reform UK's Sheffield operation has been hit by infighting, with senior figures trading public accusations after a chaotic candidate selection meeting descended into what one insider branded a "wrecking ball" moment and others have described as an attempted coup. The row erupted at a meeting of the party's Sheffield East branch at Wadsley Bridge Working Men's Club, called to choose a candidate for the Southey council by-election on 27 August, and has since spilled into public view via social media and resignations, raising questions about the party's stability in the city just months after its local breakthrough.

The meeting turned into what was described as a "slanging match" after local party leader John Hesketh arrived, reportedly to the objection of members who favoured local candidate Mike Bell; the confrontation centred on an exchange of insults, including the phrase "fat bastard". Deputy leader John Booker has denied any coup took place, calling the affair a "massive distraction", while two councillors, Nathaniel Menday and Mick Lee, have since resigned from the party to sit as independents. Reform had won the Southey seat in May's elections as part of a 13-strong councillor intake in Sheffield, but the party has since lost councillors to resignations, including former Labour-turned-independent councillor Gareth Slater.