A BEXHILL councillor has defected from Reform UK to the Conservatives, criticising the party’s leadership and its response to allegations of racist, violent and sexist language.
Donald Walmsley, who represents Bexhill North on East Sussex County Council, has joined the Conservative Party with immediate effect.
His move was confirmed in a press release issued by the East Sussex Conservative group on Friday (November 13).
Explaining his decision, Cllr Walmsley said: “Leaving an organisation you have worked hard to build is difficult, but I could no longer defend the direction the party was taking. Ultimately, this is a matter of conscience.
“I have always been a small-c conservative. I believe in personal responsibility, lower taxes, opportunity and competent government. Public money should be treated with care, and doing the right thing matters even when it is uncomfortable.
“I joined Reform because I felt the Conservative Party, the party of Margaret Thatcher, had lost its way. Under Kemi Badenoch, I see a leader confronting those mistakes and rebuilding around the principles I believe in.”
Cllr Walmsley said his departure was partly influenced by Reform UK’s handling of revelations from an ITV undercover investigation in October, which exposed councillors and candidates using racist, violent and sexist language.
He said: “The racist comments exposed by ITV’s undercover investigation were appalling. Reform announced investigations, but I found the leadership’s response wholly inadequate.”
His decision increases the number of Conservative councillors on East Sussex County Council to four.
The council’s political make-up now consists of 20 Reform UK councillors, 14 Liberal Democrats, 10 Greens, four Conservatives and two independents.
Conservative group leader Cllr Paul Redstone welcomed Cllr Walmsley to the party, praising his experience and commitment to public service.
He said: “Having got to know Donald and worked alongside him on the county council, we know that he shares our Conservative values and takes his responsibilities to residents seriously. He brings valuable experience from business and education, and a determination to make taxpayers’ money go further.
“His decision to leave Reform over its conduct demonstrates the strength of his convictions. It takes courage to acknowledge that an organisation you helped build no longer reflects your beliefs.
“We consider people on their values, their conduct and the contribution they can make. Joining our party means supporting our principles and meeting the standards we expect, whatever someone’s previous political affiliation. Donald has made that commitment, and I am delighted to welcome him.”
Cllr Walmsley becomes the second East Sussex county councillor to leave Reform UK since the local elections in May.
In early October, Daniel Bradley, who represents Rye on both the district and county councils, resigned from Reform UK and now sits as an Independent.
