Councillor defects from Conservatives to Reform UK

East Riding of Yorkshire councillor Maria Bowtell speaking to residents in Bridlington

An East Riding of Yorkshire councillor has left the Conservatives to join Reform UK.

Maria Bowtell will stand for her new party in the Bridlington and Wolds constituency at the next general election.

She said she defected because the party, nationally, no longer reflects her values.

The Conservative Party said it was "disappointed" to learn of Ms Bowtell's decision.

The mother-of-one was elected as the member for Bridlington Central and Old Town in May 2023.

She said: “I got involved in politics because I care deeply about my area and the wider East Yorkshire.

“I was elected as a Conservative because my values aligned with the centre right of politics, which is still the case, and I believe is still true for many East Riding of Yorkshire Council members.

"However, I do not feel the Conservatives, nationally, reflect this.”

Ms Bowtell placed improving residents’ access to healthcare as her priority and vowed to support police in cracking down on drugs and anti-social behaviour.

'Principled politicians'

In response to Ms Bowtell's decision to quit the party, a Conservative Group spokesperson said: "We are disappointed by the decision of Cllr Bowtell. We firmly believe in principled politicians who respect the views and wishes of their residents.

"As councillors elected by our residents as Conservatives, we will continue to work hard to address the issues and improve the services which affect them, from fixing the roads to delivering good social care for our loved ones; whilst also delivering on our devolution ambitions to secure more jobs and more funding for our region."