Reform UK Party Update

Dr David Bull, Reform UK Chairman walks you through the party's tremendous progress this week.

Jul 14, 2025

By Dr David Bull, Chairman, Reform UK

Another bonkers week for Team Reform. I have travelled the length and breadth of the country talking to and engaging with all our wonderful members from around the United Kingdom. Our local branches have excelled themselves and we are definitely on the move as an organisation.

TEAM FARAGE

As our Leader celebrated a year as the Member of Parliament for Clacton, a fun weekend ended with a charity football tournament. Reform FC, starring our very own HQ staff and Reform Essex Councillors gave the other local team a run for their money. Normally Reform UK sweep a winning position in Clacton but sadly not on this occasion. However in true patriotic style, there was only one thing to blame - the weather.

Down but not out, we look forward to cheering on Reform FC at a future fixture! Well done team!

You can read all about it here.

PENRITH, CUMBRIA

Another fantastic turnout of Reform UK members in Cumbria where over 100 Reformers from all over the county travelled for hours to get involved. No mean feat when it is a very rural area.

Kicking off the evening was Cumbria County Organiser & Penrith & Solway Branch Chair, Matthew Moody who illustrated how far Cumbria has come in one short year and that turquoise was the prediction for 4/5 seats in the county. David Surtees, Branch Chair Whitehaven & Workington gave an emotional speech about how he overcame personal setbacks to topple the Tories in the last General Election and the final local speaker was Cumbria’s first elected Town Councillor, Cllr Chris Colley (Egremont), a normal working class lad who is encouraging people to step up and become a councillor.

Branch Chairs Pamela Davidson (Westmorland & Lonsdale), Senga Beresford (Dumfries) and Deputy Chairs Chris Casey (Carlisle) and Andrew Singleton (Penrith & Solway) were also in attendance. Sienna Churcher (Council Candidate for Risedale) also attended.

I then rounded off the evening motivating the troops, explaining the changes that are taking place in head office and why their role in the local area is so important in the fight to get rid of this hopeless Labour Government.

PRESTON - LANCASHIRE CC

The following day I travelled from Penrith to Lancashire to meet our amazing members of Lancashire County Council headed up by Council Leader Stephen Atkinson and Deputy Leader Simon Evans.

It was a productive and inspiring meeting. The team presented their ambitious 24-month plan to deliver the changes that the people of Lancashire voted for in May. I was thoroughly impressed by their strategic vision and the clarity with which they are working to implement Reform UK’s core values at the local level. The plan was due to be formally adopted in the council chamber that afternoon—another important milestone for the administration.

What struck me most was the unity, determination, and professionalism of our team in Lancashire. They are clearly committed to undoing the damage caused by previous administrations and restoring common sense leadership in the county.

I left feeling confident and energised by their progress and proud of the work being done in the name of Reform UK.

STRATFORD UPON AVON

Later that day we drove down to Warwickshire where I received a fabulous welcome from 150 members in a packed room at Stratford football club. Following introduction from Regional Director Pete Durnell, Warwickshire County Organiser, now county councillor for Arden Electoral Division James Crocker, outlined how Reform UK gained the most councillors in the Warwickshire county elections, and local plans for the future. A raffle was held with proceeds split 50/50, half going to the local branch, half to the Cody Foundation for Knife Crime.

It was a tremendous event and I was thoroughly grilled on the direction the Party is taking and our strategic plan. It’s vital that our voluntary members are an integral part of our team.

ELECTION WINS

On top of all this on Thursday, we also celebrated FOUR massive council wins with astounding polling for us. Here are the results.

HARTLEPOOL (THROSTON COUNCIL)
RFM: 48.7% (-9.6)
LAB: 38.8% (+7.0)
GRN: 5.1% (New)
CON: 4.8% (-5.1)
LDM: 2.6% (New)
Reform GAIN from Labour.

BASSETLAW (RANKSHILL COUNCIL)
RFM: 52.7% (New)
LAB: 15.7% (-27.8)
CON: 14.5% (-42.0)
Ind: 7.2% (New)
LDM: 6.5% (New)
GRN: 3.4% (New)
Reform GAIN from Conservative.

TEWKSBURY (NORTHWAY COUNCIL)
RFM: 41.4% (New)
LDM: 30.9% (+7.0)
CON: 12.8% (-11.6)
GRN: 10.1% (New)
LAB: 4.9% (-15.8)
Reform GAIN from Independent.

ROTHERAM (KEPPEL)
RFM: 40.3% (New)
Ind: 27.8% (-1.9)
LAB: 19.4% (-13.4)
CON: 3.6% (-6.9)
YORKS: 3.5% (-7.8)
LDM: 2.8% (-1.4)
GRN: 2.7% (-7.1)
Reform GAIN from Labour.

And here is the aggregate result from all the council elections (thanks to Election Maps).

Aggregate Result of the 59 Council By-Elections since the 2025 Local Elections:

LDM: 21 (+6)
RFM: 20 (+18)
LAB: 5 (-14)
CON: 4 (-6)
GRN: 4 (+2)
Ind: 3 (-2)
SNP: 1 (=)
Local: 1 (-4)

LATEST POLLS

In terms of the National Polls, we have been on top of ALL national polls for 14 weeks. We are leading across the board in England at around 31-35%, we are now polling at 28% in Wales (ahead of Plaid Cymru) and we are polling at 20% in Scotland.

LATEST DEFECTIONS

Two big beasts of the Tory Party - both having held cabinet positions - have joined us this week - David Jones, the former Welsh Secretary who said ‘only reform has the determination to tackle this country’s many problems’ and Jake Berry who was the Chairman of the Conservative Party. Jake said he was backing Reform UK "because I've always believed that change comes with challenging the old order. In shaking up the system when it isn't working". Both men will be fantastic additions to our team.

LATEST DOGE REVELATIONS

Reform UK’s DOGE team has uncovered shocking new evidence showing how taxpayer money has been spent by local councils.

Our investigation - featured today in the Daily Mail - reveals that councils have used public funds to take asylum seekers on outings to safari parks, the circus, and more. Hundreds of thousands of pounds have also been spent on fast food from Domino’s, McDonald’s, and similar chains - much of it charged to education budgets.
You can read the full set of findings here

PARTY BOARD

I'm delighted to announce that Reform UK will be holding a vote of all party members to elect three members of the Party Board.

It's a fantastic opportunity for the membership to choose who should sit on the party’s most important decision-making body alongside Nigel Farage MP, myself and the other members of the Board.

This is another promise the party has kept in the democratisation of Reform UK - something that I know from travelling the country on my Chairman's tour is very important to all of you.

HOW IT WORKS

The contest will take place over four stages:

Applications: People have a week to make an application to be a candidate - they must be a member, pay £100 and pass our vetting checks.

Nominations: Successful applicants will need a proposer, seconder and the support of 10 Branch Chairs.

Campaigning: Nominated candidates will have four weeks to campaign, including a live-streamed hustings event at HQ.

Voting: There will be a one-week window for voting to take place. The Party will make use of an online platform operated by an independent third-party.

Like all members of the Board, the elected members will serve for a term of two years, which may be renewed without limitation for further two-year periods at the discretion of the Party Leader.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply to be a candidate, simply go to our website here:

APPLY - PARTY BOARD

The party-wide ballot will not only be an exciting time for our party, but it is also another sign of how much we value our members - it is through your hard work that Reform has all the momentum in British politics.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Reform UK LGA Office

Following the Local Government Association Conference, Reform UK now has a group office at the LGA. Cllr Stephen Atkinson, Leader of Lancashire County Council has been elected as the LGA Group Leader with Nottinghamshire County Council Leader Cllr Mick Barton elected as his Deputy.

In order to move forward with our office, there is now a recruitment by the LGA for a 'Head of Reform Group Office'. It is important that the successful candidate is a proud Reform UK member and has extensive knowledge of Local Government.

If you are interested in applying - please click the button:

APPLY - HEAD OF REFORM GROUP OFFICE

Vetting Officer Position at HQ

As we prepare for the next set of elections, we’ve launched recruitment for dedicated Vetting Officers to join our team at our Westminster HQ.

This role is crucial to ensuring we field only the highest calibre of candidates who meet the standards our Party and the public expect. If you’re detail-oriented, politically aware, and passionate about Reform UK’s mission, we want to hear from you.

If you are interested in applying - please click the button:

APPLY - VETTING OFFICER

It’s a been a cracking week all round.

Have a lovely rest of your Sunday,

Yours sincerely,