Reform UK file no confidence vote in mayor

Ros Jones was voted in as Mayor of Doncaster for a fourth consecutive term in May 2025

Reform UK have filed a motion of no confidence in the City of Doncaster Council's Labour mayor Ros Jones.

The motion, proposed by the party's group leader Guy Aston, claims Jones "misled" the public over her election pledge to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport by Spring 2026.

It comes after it was announced that the airport would not be fully operational before summer 2028.

Responding to the motion, a Labour Party spokesperson said it was "nothing more than political posturing".

Labour made the reopening of DSA the central pledge in her election campaign which saw Jones win a fourth consecutive term as Mayor of Doncaster.

Reform UK has more councillors in Doncaster than any other party following May's local elections, but does not run the authority.

Reform UK group leader Guy Aston said he was "not prepared to get involved" with the Mayor's proposal

In the motion Mr Aston states: "The Mayor's repeated pledges on Doncaster Sheffield Airport have not been delivered and have misled the public as to the timescales and certainty of reopening.

"Confidence in the Mayor's leadership has been undermined not only in respect of Doncaster Sheffield Airport but also more broadly, given the centrality of this issue to her campaign."

It adds that if approved the vote will "formally record that the council has no confidence in the Mayor of Doncaster", though makes it clear it holds no power to remove Jones from office nor curb her elected power.

Politicians, business leaders and campaigners gathered at Doncaster Sheffield Airport on 9 September to agree a £160m funding package

A Labour spokesperson said: "This is nothing more than political posturing from a group that is not serious about the future of Doncaster's airport.

"Labour is taking the huge steps forward to reopen the airport. Reform wouldn't commit to the airport's future at the election and talk it down now for their own political gain."

Last week the Doncaster Mayor voted along with other council leaders in South Yorkshire to approve funding of almost £160m to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport and bring passenger flights back to the region.

The agreement from South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority means freight operations should start in 2027 and a fully operational airport planned for summer 2028.

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