Cheshire West Councillor Mark Williams has joined Reform UK, saying only Nigel Farage’s party have the answers to the biggest problems facing the country.

Cllr Mark Williams has represented Christleton & Huntington on the council since 2007, and had previously been a member of the Conservative party. But he says the “party has left him” and “feels let down by so many broken promises.” Cllr Mark Williams said, “I have joined Reform because of their determination to uphold British culture, identity, and values. Reform has an overwhelming amount of support across the country, and it is now clear to me that only they can beat Labour. The trend of defections to Reform UK is one the party believes will continue to grow, which it says underscores the urgent need for real change in our political system, both locally and nationally.“

Commenting further, Cllr Mark Williams said, “We need real change in this country. I think Labour and the Conservatives have become the same thing – high immigration, high taxes, high energy bills because of net zero. It is not my views that have changed, but the Conservative party which no longer acts in accordance with the views of its members. Only Reform will put the British people first, protect pensioners, fix the NHS, and reinstate winter fuel payments. That is what this country needs, and it is exactly what Reform will deliver.”

The move has been criticised locally with Conservative Leader Adrian Waddelove commenting : “I thank Mark for his 18 years of service as a Conservative councillor, and I hope he seeks a fresh mandate from the residents of Christleton and Huntington now he has found a new political ‘home’. I suspect many of his residents will view his switch as a cynical attempt to be re-elected at the next set of local elections here in Cheshire West and Chester in 2027.” He called for Cllr Williams to stand down and hold a by- election. The Labour party have also called for Williams to step down and have set up a petition which states “These villages did not vote for Farage.” Only residents living in the Christleton and Huntington ward will count towards the running total. The petition is available here : https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfr5g9pPwA8WkF0gmdcCChrfy90UUwKrZ0EP5AMZVMz8pvFjg/viewform?pli=1

Welcoming him, A Reform Spokesman said: “We’re delighted to have Mark on board. We welcome anyone who shares our vision for integrity, accountability, and meaningful change to join us.”