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A former Conservative Member of Parliament and past council leader has defected to Reform UK.
Ben Bradley, who exited the political arena last year following his defeat in the 2024 Mansfield election, confirmed his move to the party. He is slated to take on a new role in the “coming weeks,” focusing on assisting Reform-led councils in reducing expenditure.
He stated that Reform UK was the only party “prepared to be different and to tackle the most pressing issues,” pledging to help “ensure that communities feel the benefit of voting for Reform.”
Bradley’s political rivals have accused the former Nottinghamshire County Council leader of lacking “loyalty.”
His move follows the recent Conservative defections of Jonathan Gullis, former MP for Stoke-on-Trent North, Lia Nici, who represented Great Grimsby, and Chris Green, ex-MP for Bolton West.
In a statement released Thursday morning, Bradley asserted: “Successive governments have failed to deliver for so many people, and have demonstrated that they’re unwilling to actually deliver on key promises to voters.”
“I’ve been out of politics altogether for a little while, but I feel strongly that I can’t sit on the sidelines any more and watch our country fail.”
“I’ve come to the conclusion that Reform UK is the only party that is prepared to be different and to tackle the most pressing issues.”
Party leader Nigel Farage last week dismissed suggestions that he was admitting too many former Conservatives, stating: “We will not become the Conservative Party 2.0.”
Bradley said he would be collaborating with Richard Tice MP and his Department of Government Efficiency as part of his new role.
In 2018, Bradley resigned from his position as vice-chair of the Conservative Party in protest against Theresa May’s Chequers Brexit compromise plan.
He cautioned the then Prime Minister that her plan would not capitalize on the opportunities presented by Brexit, and had previously supported remaining in the EU ahead of the referendum.
Steve Yemm, the current Labour MP for Mansfield, stated that the move “doesn’t surprise [him] at all.”
He commented: “A number of failed Tory MPs are joining Reform – and they all supported the disastrous Liz Truss mini-budget just like Nigel Farage. Birds of a feather flock together, don’t they?”
Sam Smith, a former Tory colleague who succeeded Bradley as leader of the county council a year ago before Reform took over in May, added: “Turning to someone for help who once held three jobs, has now been in two political parties, voted to remain in the EU and declared a climate emergency across Nottinghamshire, is turning to someone whose political loyalties change with the wind.”
Bradley described Smith’s comments on his decision as “sad.”
“I think I’ve worked with Sam for a long time, and to some extent, I guess you make these decisions, you find out who your friends are,” said Bradley.
“I do think that’s sad and it’s probably a bit unnecessary, but I’m not going to sit and criticise friends and colleagues.”
Bradley believes that joining Reform UK will allow him to “really influence and change things.”
“I could have moved to Reform a year, 18 months ago. There’s a strong argument to say I’d still be an MP if I had, but it wasn’t the right thing to do at that time,” said Bradley.
“I’m enjoying getting into the next few weeks, I haven’t even started yet.
“Hopefully I can lend some experience and we’ll see what comes.”
Tice stated that the appointment would help Reform “deliver real results for councils across the country.”
He added: “Ben brings a wealth of experience as a former local authority leader and MP for Mansfield.”
“As leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, Ben delivered record investment, secured major funding for services, and achieved both budget savings and service improvements.”
He was initially elected as an MP for Mansfield in 2017 and subsequently became leader of the county council in 2021.
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