Divisions among councillors in Northumberland County Council’s Reform UK group were exposed as a majority of councillors repeatedly went against the group’s leadership on a series of key votes. Opposition councillors have criticised the scenes that played out in public on Wednesday.
Reform UK is official opposition party and the second largest group behind the Conservatives. However, two councillors were previously expelled from the group amid accusations they had attempted to oust group leader Mark Peart in a vote of no confidence.
Wednesday saw the council’s AGM, where members are appointed to key roles within the local authority such as scrutiny chairs. On several occasions, Reform councillors refused to back candidates put forward by the group leadership, with other members putting forward alternative candidates.
At one point, Coun Peart was put forward as chairman of the Ashington and Blyth Community partnership alongside fellow Reform councillor Scott Amery and Labour’s Coun Caroline Ball. Just five members backed Coun Peart, with Coun Ball going on to defeat Coun Amery following Coun Peart’s elimination.
Speaking after the meeting, a spokesman for Northumberland Conservatives said: “Today’s events at the Northumberland County Council AGM exposed serious divisions within the Reform party group.
“As the official opposition on Northumberland County Council, residents would expect Reform to present themselves as disciplined and organised. Instead, Reform councillors publicly voted against their own leadership nominees, with the Reform Group Leader ultimately being defeated by members of his own side.
“The Conservative Group believes local government should be focused on delivering for residents, protecting frontline services, and providing strong, professional leadership. Today’s scenes will leave many residents seriously questioning whether Reform are capable of providing any local leadership at all.
“A spokesman for Northumberland Labour added: “In a remarkable turn of events, Reform councillors voted against their own party nominees, with members of the group standing alternative candidates against their own leadership nominations.
“Following multiple rounds of voting, the Reform Group Leader was defeated by votes coming from within his own group — highlighting clear divisions and internal tensions. The AGM was expected to be procedural, but instead exposed significant cracks within Reform’s ranks in full public view.”
In October, two members of Reform were expelled from the party after an attempt to remove the group’s leadership. Norham and Islandshires councillor Patrick Lambert and Berwick North councillor Nicole Brooke both left the party and have since joined the council’s Independent Group.
At the time, Reform said the pair were kicked out for breaching party rules over plans to hold a no confidence vote in the local leadership.
Reform UK Has been contacted for comment.
