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The Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicestershire and Rutland has defected from the Conservative Party to Reform UK, marking the party’s first PCC.
Rupert Matthews, who has held the position since 2021, previously served as a Member of the European Parliament for the East Midlands under the Conservative banner from 2017 to 2019.
During a press conference alongside Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, Matthews asserted the need to eradicate the “dark heart of wokeness” from the criminal justice system.
“The self-serving, self-entitled liberal elite who have let our country down time after time are now on notice their day is almost done,” he stated.
“Be they Conservative or Labour governments, everyone knows our politicians have failed us all. They have let this country down. They have let the British people down. Enough. Now is the time for Reform.”
By Henry Zeffman, chief political correspondent, BBC News
Rupert Matthews may not be a prominent figure within the national Conservative Party.
However, his defection is likely to stir some unease. It reinforces the perception that at the local level – the foundation of any political party – the Conservative Party’s infrastructure is weakening, and that Reform UK is gaining momentum on the right of the political spectrum.
Following their acquisition of 10 councils in the May local elections, securing their first Police and Crime Commissioner represents another milestone in local government for Reform, providing them with a valuable platform to articulate their concerns regarding what they describe as Britain’s “lawlessness.”
Nevertheless, there’s a potential risk for Reform in assimilating too many former Conservatives, potentially incorporating the very politicians they accuse of mismanaging Britain.
Matthews secured re-election as PCC in May 2024, defeating Labour’s Rory Palmer by 860 votes.
Announcing the defection on Monday, Farage told the conference: “He’s twice been elected as a Conservative but today he comes across to us as our first police and crime commissioner.”
He added: “Welcome on board.”
This move is expected to solidify Reform UK’s local power base, as the party has been leading Leicestershire County Council since May, forming a minority administration.
However, the local Conservative group has suggested that Matthews should call a by-election in light of his decision to switch political affiliations.
Peter Bedford, Conservative MP for Mid Leicestershire, commented: “It’s disappointing that the 62,000 Leicestershire and Rutland residents who voted for the Conservative candidate at last year’s PCC election have had their democratic voice overturned in this way.
“The Reform Party couldn’t even be bothered to field a candidate at that election so for the police and crime commissioner to defect to Reform beggars belief.”
Labour has accused Farage of “swelling the Reform ranks” with “the ghost of Tory past” and argued that his party offers “anger, but no answers.”
Additional reporting by Gavin Bevis.
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