Reform politician quits party after ultimatum from HQ

Councillor Trevor Bridgwood was told he must either leave the party or stand down from West Lindsey District Council, where he is part of a cross-party administration.

He said that he didn’t want to cause ‘chaos’ for his constituents in the Cherry Willingham ward by quitting.

He will now be an unaligned independent on both Lincolnshire County Council and West Lindsey.

He told the county’s full council meeting on Friday that Reform previously hadn’t had an issue with his West Lindsey membership.

“The legality was checked out by [both councils] 12 months ago, and it was all agreed right up to Reform HQ,” Coun Bridgwood said.

“Then on Wednesday, I received a phone call from HQ telling me there were new rules, and gave me the option of resigning from WLDC or having the whip withdrawn.

“When councillors are elected, we are there to represent the whole community, regardless of party. That’s what I’ve always done.

“To remove myself from WLDC would have caused more chaos there than on Lincolnshire County Council. Therefore I am telling Reform HQ to remove the whip.”

The change still leaves Reform with a sizeable majority on Lincolnshire County Council.

The West Lindsey cross-party coalition includes members of the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties, along with other independents.

The administration leaders recently hailed their collaboration as a success.

Councillor Jackie Brockway told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “We’ve got the whole spectrum of opinion, from left to right, working well together and coming up with ideas.

“There is always going to be a difference of opinions, but we talk it through in an adult way.

“It has led to a much healthier political environment in West Lindsey, which other councils could look to when there’s no obvious ruling party.”