The Redcar far right is astir with rumours that former Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Steve Turner and his ex-councillor wife Andrea Turner, have defected from the Conservatives to join the Reform UK Party.
Facebook comments
Although the Reform door is wide open to those leaving the Tory sinking ship, there was no welcome to the pair from the Reform Redcar Branch Chair John Davies.
In a post on the local Reform’s Facebook page he declared:
“This party is not a vehicle for opportunist comebacks from those who have failed us time and time again—including Steve and Andrea Turner. Steve Turner, a former Police and Crime Commissioner, now seeks to use our party and our members to rehabilitate his reputation. We won’t let that happen.”
Andrea Turner replied to Davies’ post confirming that she had joined Reform. She refrained from stating whether her husband had taken a similar step but her glowing words about him indicate his similar move:
“Steve has consistently fought for justice and fairness, showing resilience in the face of the most unfair and politically motivated attacks played out in the media.”
Our sources have confirmed that Steve Turner became a Reform member three months ago.
Steve Green’s comment on the Davies post included:
“This is the reason you aren’t capable of leading this party John. You can’t hold your water we need someone calculated and with the skills and integrity.
“Step down you know it’s the right thing to do.”
Branch meeting
A branch meeting was scheduled for 7pm Wednesday 12 March. No doubt details will emerge in due course.
Steve and Andrea Turner
Steve Turner began his political career in Redcar in 2015 as a Ukip councillor.
He defected to the Conservative Party in 2017 and became Chief of Staff to two Tory MPs.
Andrea also became a Tory councillor, leading the Conservative Group on Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.
Steve Turner was elected as PCC in 2021.
But the couple’s political aspirations were dashed when they both failed to win council seats at the local elections in 2023.
At the PCC election in 2024, Turner lost his PCC post to Labour’s Matt Storey.
During the local elections Turner lodged a complaint about the imprint on the Labour leaflet which was printed with blue ink. His move – which led to a police enquiry, later dismissed by the police – delayed Labour campaigning for several days.
North East Bylines has approached Andrea Turner and Steve Turner for comment.
This article was originally published on 12 March 2025. It has since been edited in the light of concerns from Andrea Turner
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