Reform UK county councillor defects to UKIP

Amelia Randall, who serves the Birchington & Rural division, has made the switch four months after being elected

A Reform UK county councillor in Kent has defected to UKIP, it has been announced.

Amelia Randall, who serves the Birchington & Rural division in Thanet, has left the party four months after being elected.

A Reform UK spokesperson said: "We remain committed to our mission of delivering for our residents and ensuring Nigel Farage becomes Britain's next Prime Minister."

Opposition leader at Kent County Council, Antony Hook, has called for Randall to resign and a by-election to be called.

He said: "She should resign so that Birchington residents can make a fresh choice about who they want to represent them."

As of last week, Randall, who has been approached for comment, was still posting on X in support of Reform UK and is understood to have attended its conference at the weekend, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Her departure means that Reform UK has 55 of 81 councillors at County Hall.