Rejoining Party: Reform Councillor Returns Days After Departure

A councillor has returned to Reform UK just days after leaving the party to become an independent representative. Nicola Brown, who serves Adwick & Carcroft on the City of Doncaster Council, resigned from Reform UK last week and was listed as an independent councillor on Friday, following a full council meeting. By Monday, however, Brown was once again recorded as a Reform UK councillor on the council's official website.

This move comes after a turbulent week for the Doncaster Reform UK group, which concluded with the resignation of its leader, Councillor Guy Aston, on Friday. The Local Democracy Reporting Service has reached out to Brown for a statement.

Aston faced opposition from his fellow councillors when he attempted to remove Councillor Jason Charity from chairing two council committees, including the Audit Committee. The dispute arose after Aston issued a joint statement with the Labour Mayor of Doncaster, expressing agreement on borrowing 57 million to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport, which caused friction within the Reform UK group.

In an email to party members announcing his resignation as leader, Aston mentioned receiving "unpleasant, vitriolic texts that border on abuse" from colleagues within his own party.

Author: Sophia Brooks