Council controlled by Reform UK meets for first time

Reform UK councillors attend their first meeting of West Northamptonshire Council

Newly elected councillors on a Reform-led council have come together for the first time at the authority's annual meeting.

Most of the 76 councillors attended the meeting at the Guildhall in Northampton to approve the new leader of West Northamptonshire Council, as well as appoint other positions and make committee arrangements.

Reform UK has political control of the council after winning 42 seats in the recent local elections.

Mark Arnull, the new leader of the council said: We will put local politics back in the control of the local people."

The first meeting of West Northamptonshire Council since the elections in May took place in the Great Hall at the Guildhall in Northampton

The new political make-up of West Northamptonshire Council is 42 Reform councillors, 17 Conservatives, nine Labour, six Liberal Democrats - and two Independent councillors.

The Tories had been in control of the council since the first elections for the authority in 2021, but lost 35 seats and with 17 seats make up the largest opposition group.

Dan Lister, the Conservatives group leader, told the meeting: "We will engage constructively when your initiatives show tangible benefit, but we will oppose any measures that risk fiscal imprudence, undermine essential services or favour short term gain over long term stability."

Labour came third in the election in May after dropping nine seats and holding nine.

Sally Keeble, the group leader, told the meeting Labour would not support the appointment of the leader, adding: "Normally with a party leader comes a party manifesto in this instance it has not been forthcoming.

"We the council members, the electorate and I suspect the officers have not seen the detail of how Reform intends to run West Northamptonshire what its policies are for the services that are so important to the wellbeing of everyone who lives here."

The Liberal Democrats gained two seats - increasing their councillors to six.

Group leader Jonathan Harris reminded councillors of their duty to uphold laws including the Equality Act 2010.

"This duty requires councils to eliminate discrimination, advance equality and foster good relations this is a legal requirement," he said.

"Weaponising difference, demonising diversity and scapegoating the other is deeply destructive and will be called out."

Mark Arnull is the new Reform Council leader for West Northamptonshire Council

The appointment of Arnull as leader of the council was carried by 39 votes for and 31 abstaining.

"I do have a manifesto in the form of a contract with the people which is available on the Reform UK website," he told the meeting.

He said his party would "put local politics back in control of local people".

"My team will be very visible on the doorstep, we'll bring a new approach to politics that hasn't been seen round this area for a very long time.

"I look forward to delivering a formidable government."