Northamptonshire Reform leaders say Restore Britain is 'not a serious political movement' after councillors switch allegiance
North Northants Council’s Reform UK group have brushed off defections of two councillors to rival Restore Britain.
Cllr Jack Goncalvez (Rushden Lakes) and Cllr Darren Rance (Brickhill and Queensway), were elected for Reform UK last year.
But the former Reform UK pair will have to sit as independents as the movement started by Rupert Lowe, the MP for Great Yarmouth, has no legal status as a political party.
It is believed Cllr Goncalvez’s and Cllr Rance’s switch to Restore Britain came as a surprise to colleagues.
North Northants Council’s Reform Group issued a statement this afternoon to the Northants Telegraph which said: “It is disappointing that councillors Darren Rance and Jack Goncalvez have chosen to leave the group, particularly given the support, mentoring and training they have received since being elected.
“The timing, on the eve of the council’s budget meeting, was especially regrettable. Being a councillor comes with responsibility. Budget setting is one of the most serious responsibilities this council has. The decision to step away at this point suggests a different view of that responsibility than the one we hold as a group.
“Restore Britain is not a serious political movement and they will now sit as independent councillors.”
In a statement issued by Cllr Goncalvez, he said he had left Reform UK after high-profile defections of ex-Tory ministers who had been responsible for ‘inflicting mass migration’ on the country.
He said Restore Britain would protect the ‘Christian-based way of life’.
On X he set out policies including ‘British elections for British people’ and railed against Britain’s abortion laws.
Mr Lowe, the MP for Great Yarmouth is currently serving as an independent after he was suspended from Reform UK by Nigel Farage.