Sheffield ex-Reform councillors keep ‘Reform’ in name of new group

Two Sheffield councillors elected for Reform UK have formed a new council group, the New Chartist Reform Group, after both left or were removed from the party. The move keeps “Reform” in the group’s name, while signalling a separate local identity and a focus on representing their wards.

Mick Lee, who represents Shiregreen and Brightside, will lead the group; Robert Hanson, councillor for Firth Park, will be a member. They chose “Chartist” to refer to the 19th-century movement for greater democracy. Lee describes himself as centre left, while Hanson says he is centre right with socialist tendencies; both cite anti-social behaviour and disability issues among their priorities.