Liberal Democrat councillor defects to Reform UK

Jason Fazackarley's switch means Reform UK now has eight councillors in Portsmouth

A Liberal Democrat councillor on Portsmouth City Council has quit the party to join Reform UK.

Jason Fazackarley, who has also twice served as Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, was first elected to the city council in 1995.

He said the move reflected his "evolving political outlook and growing frustration with the direction of the Liberal Democrat administration".

Councillor George Madgwick, leader of the Reform UK group on the council, said he was "delighted" to welcome Mr Fazackarley who he said "brings decades of experience, a strong record of service, and a reputation for putting residents before politics".

It boosts Reform UK to eight councillors in the city which is currently run as a minority administration by the Liberal Democrats.

New make-up of Portsmouth City Council:

• Lib Dem - 18

• Labour - 9

• Reform - 8

• Conservative - 4

• Portsmouth Independent Party - 2

• Independent - 1

Mr Fazackarley, who represented the Nelson Ward, said: "People change their minds over time, and politics should be no different.

"My views have developed, as have the concerns of residents. Reform UK now better represents my outlook and my commitment to standing up for local people."

It comes after Reform UK's Joseph Standen won the Paulsgrove by-election last month following the resignation of Portsmouth Independent Party (PIP) councillor Brian Madgwick - the father of George Madgwick.

In October, four councillors on the city council switched to Reform UK.

Derek North, Russell Simpson, Matthew Cordy and Chris Dike had all been members of the PIP group.