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20 Councillors Defect to Reform UK, Rejecting Conservatives

10/10/2025

26 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Denise Howard, a Conservative councillor, defected to Reform UK, saying the Conservative Party is "over" and calling for change.
She is among 20 councillors who switched during the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester; Clapper and Rosehill joined Reform UK.
Clapper and Rosehill rejected by-election calls as unnecessary and costly; Debbie Soloman praised Reform UK's leadership and criticized the Conservative government.

History

Historical Context

The Conservative Party's significant defeat in the 1997 general election, losing 178 seats to Labour, marked a turning point in British politics. This loss, exacerbated by internal divisions and leadership challenges, led to a decline in party unity. Recent defections, including Denise Howard's to Reform UK, reflect ongoing dissatisfaction, echoing historical fractures that threaten the Conservatives' future electoral influence.

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Story summary

Denise Howard, a Conservative councillor, defected to Reform UK, saying the Conservative Party is "over" and calling for change.
She is among 20 councillors who switched during the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester; Clapper and Rosehill joined Reform UK.
Clapper and Rosehill rejected by-election calls as unnecessary and costly; Debbie Soloman praised Reform UK's leadership and criticized the Conservative government.

1 / 2