Full Breakdown
Jonathan Gullis Leads Reform UK to Control Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council
5/15/2026, 4:35:38 AM
Reform UK Takes Council Leadership
Former Conservative deputy chair Jonathan Gullis was selected by Reform UK members on Thursday to lead the party’s group on Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, positioning him for council leader after a full-council vote next Wednesday. Councillor Graham Shaw became deputy group leader and councillor Olivia Wozny group secretary; cabinet appointments will follow.
Political Shift in Staffordshire
The 2024 local elections reshaped the borough, giving Reform UK 27 seats (up from one) and reducing the Conservatives to 15 (from 26) and Labour to two. A 23-seat majority was required; Reform comfortably exceeded it. Gullis’s December defection, shortly after former Stoke-on-Trent City Council Conservative leader Daniel Jellyman switched parties, helped fuel the surge.
Key Figures
Jonathan Gullis, elected MP for Stoke-on-Trent North in 2019, served as minister for school standards and deputy Conservative chair before losing his seat to Labour’s David Williams in the 2024 general election. He now represents the Kidsgrove and Ravenscliffe ward and was mayor of Kidsgrove Town Council (May 2025–January 2026). Deputy leader Graham Shaw and secretary Olivia Wozny will support him.
Election Results
Unitary Reorganisation Impact
Official Statements from Reform UK
Gullis thanked colleagues for their confidence and stressed the council’s duty to “restore pride in our communities.” He outlined priorities: upgrading parks, investing in high streets, holding absentee landlords accountable, using legal powers against anti-social behaviour, and partnering with colleges and universities to create skilled, well-paid jobs. He also pledged justice for residents affected by the Walleys Quarry dispute.
Verbatim Quotes from Jonathan Gullis
- “I am grateful to my colleagues for placing their trust in me to lead the Reform UK group on Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council.” — Jonathan Gullis, Reform UK group leader
- “The people of Newcastle-under-Lyme voted for change, and we understand the responsibility they have placed on our shoulders.” — Jonathan Gullis
- “We will also continue to fight tirelessly for justice over Walleys Quarry, which has caused misery for residents across our borough.” — Jonathan Gullis
- “restore pride in our communities” — Jonathan Gullis
Next Steps
The council will vote on Gullis’s appointment next Wednesday, followed by cabinet announcements. The government’s reorganisation decision is due this summer, with the transition to unitary authorities scheduled for 2028, ending the current council’s tenure.
