Stuart Graham, the Reform UK councillor for the Mitcheldean division at Gloucestershire County Council, has stepped down from the party’s group but continues to be a member of Reform UK. Elected to Shire Hall last May, Cllr Graham also serves the Cinderford East ward on the Forest of Dean District Council.
In a brief statement, Graham confirmed his resignation as a political representative of Reform UK, though he declined to specify the reasons behind his decision. He will now sit as an Independent councillor at both the district and county levels.
A spokesperson for Reform UK announced that Graham had resigned the party whip effective immediately and confirmed his new status as an Independent. The party chose not to provide further comments on the situation.
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This change alters the political composition at Gloucestershire’s Shire Hall: 27 Liberal Democrats, 10 Reform UK councillors (down from 11), 9 Greens, 6 Conservatives, 2 Independents (including Graham), and 1 Labour member.
Meanwhile, within the Forest of Dean District Council, the current breakdown includes 15 Green Party members, 6 Conservatives, 6 Independents, 4 Labour councillors, 4 Progressive Independents, 1 Liberal Democrat, 1 Reform UK councillor, and Stuart Graham sitting independently without party group affiliation.