Reform UK has secured its position as the official opposition at the Ashfield District Council in Nottinghamshire following the defection of Councillor Andy Gascoyne from the dominant Ashfield Independents. This move marks another significant gain for Nigel Farage's party in the region.
Reform UK has achieved the status of official opposition at Nottinghamshire 's Ashfield District Council following the defection of Councillor Andy Gascoyne from the dominant Ashfield Independents group. This move grants Reform UK two councillors on the council, a sufficient number to claim the opposition mantle.
Councillor Gascoyne, a veteran of eight years' service as a Selston parish and district councillor, cited his disillusionment with the Ashfield Independents' insular approach and the concerning political climate in Westminster as his reasons for joining Reform UK. He expressed his former pride in being British, lamenting the current state of affairs and emphasizing the urgent need for drastic changes.This development marks another victory for Nigel Farage's party in Nottinghamshire. Reform UK previously gained a foothold in the county in October 2024 when three Mansfield politicians defected from the Mansfield Independent Forum. Nottinghamshire County Council also has its first Reform UK member, Councillor John Doddy. Recent months have witnessed a degree of upheaval within the Ashfield District Council's opposition ranks. The Ashfield Independents previously held a commanding majority with 32 councillors, while the Conservatives and Labour each had two and one councillor respectively. In mid-November, Conservative Councillor Dawn Justice joined Reform UK, momentarily leaving Ashfield District Council without an official opposition. A subsequent agreement saw Councillor Justice join forces with former Tory colleague Councillor Phil Rostance to form an 'opposition group'.However, Reform UK's current two-councillor representation allows them to establish their own official opposition group. Ashfield's Reform UK MP Lee Anderson celebrated the development, predicting a 'turquoise tsunami' in the upcoming Nottinghamshire County Council elections scheduled for May 1st. Meanwhile, the Ashfield Independents expressed well wishes to Councillor Gascoyne while reaffirming their commitment to serving local residents
Reform UK Ashfield District Council Nottinghamshire Nigel Farage Councillor Andy Gascoyne Opposition Ashfield Independents Defection
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