Two Northamptonshire councillors join Reform UK

Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf (centre) with Martin Griffiths (left) and Ken Harrington

A pair of North Northamptonshire councillors have joined Reform UK.

Ken Harrington, member for Hatton Park in Wellingborough, has defected from the Conservative Party while Irchester councillor Martin Griffiths was previously an independent.

The pair are the first members of Nigel Farage's party to serve on the Conservative-controlled authority.

North Northamptonshire Council leader Jason Smithers said Harrington had been a "dedicated member of the political landscape" locally but accepted that "his political philosophy has evolved".

He said: "We understand that political convictions are subject to change and respect Mr Harrington's decision to align himself with a party that better reflects his current views."

Griffiths is a former Conservative leader at the now defunct Borough Council of Wellingborough before becoming an independent in 2021.

In a post on his Facebook page, Griffiths said his decision to join Reform UK followed a meeting with the "excellent" party chairman Zia Yusuf and "a lot of soul searching".

He also welcomed Harrington's "bold decision" to join Reform UK.

He added: "I realise that this decision will not be universally accepted by some but it is based, as my whole political life has been based, on what is best for the people I represent, and the country that I am proud to call home."

Harrington told the BBC that joining Reform UK would "give me my voice back to speak on behalf of the people of Wellingborough".

The councillor, who has served for 36 years, said: "I haven't joined Reform UK lightly. I've been thinking about it for the last six months."