‘The political system needs a serious reset’...another Tory quits to join Reform

A CONSERVATIVE grandee has become the latest to defect to Reform UK after becoming “frustrated” with his former party.

- Chris Riches

Stephen Thompson, who has represented the Tories on Preston City Council for 18 years, is another huge scalp for Nigel Farage’s party as it leaps ahead in the opinion polls.

Councillor Thompson had led the local authority’s Tory group since May last year, when they lost their status as the official opposition on the Labour-run council by finishing third behind the resurgent Liberal Democrats.

But he rejected any suggestion he joined Reform because of its lead in the opinion polls or a desire to “preserve” his career in local politics.