Reform hits back at Tory after defections

CONSERVATIVE LEADER SAYS COUNCILLORS SHOULD STAND DOWN

- BY MARTYN SMITH News Reporter

REFORM UK have hit back at Dudley's Conservative leader after he slammed defectors for ‘not having the courage’ to trigger by-elections.

Councillors James Clinton and Jason Thorne announced they had jumped ship to Reform on November 9 sparking calls for them to stand down as Dudley councillors for Pedmore.

The change cuts the Conservative group on the 72-seat authority to 33 councillors, which means the Tories remain as the largest single party and in charge of the council.

The council’s Conservative leader, Cllr Patrick Harley, says the pair should stand down but their new party's spokesperson disagrees.