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Lee Anderson hails ‘seismic moment’ as Labour councillor defects to Reform

Lee Anderson
Lee Anderson has celebrated a Labour councillor defecting to Reform (Image: Getty)

Lee Anderson hailed a “seismic moment” as the first Labour councillor defected to Reform UK.

Cathy Mason, who sits on Ashfield District Council, said she was “disappointed” with Sir Keir Starmer’s policies including stripping most pensioners of winter fuel payments.

She becomes the town hall’s third Reform councillor and her switch leaves Labour with no representatives.

Mr Anderson, the Reform MP for Ashfield, said: “This is a seismic moment for Reform UK, the first Labour councillor has defected to us today and it’s happened in the capital of common sense, Ashfield.

“Cathy will be the first of many to join Reform UK from Labour and she will be one of millions to leave Labour to vote for Reform UK at the next general election. We are the only party that can beat Labour.”

Lee Anderson and Cathy Mason

Mr Anderson pictured with defector Cathy Mason (Image: REFORM UK)

Ms Mason, who represents the Carsic ward, added: “I am personally disappointed that the Labour Party’s policies since the election have not helped people and going forward will not help the people of Ashfield.

“Residents are suffering and they need change, Reform is now the only party offering this.”

Her move follows last week’s defection of Ashfield Independent councillor Andy Gascoyne to Reform UK.

It comes as Nigel Farage has lashed out at the Labour Government over plans to postpone May elections in nine council areas as part of a town hall overhaul.

Those affected are East Sussex, West Sussex, Essex, Thurrock, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Norfolk, Suffolk and Surrey.

Reform, which has topped a series of national opinion polls, had been expected to perform well in areas including Thurrock and Essex.

The Reform leader accused the Government of “sheer cowardice” over the move.

A Labour Party spokesperson said: “Whilst Nigel Farage and Lee Anderson prefer to shout and scream from the White Cliffs of Dover or on their well-paid TV shows, this Labour Government is listening to the people of Ashfield’s concerns and taking firm action in Parliament.

“For example, Reform and the Tories have already said they will vote against the Government’s Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, showing they are all talk – seeking headlines not solutions.

“This Labour Government will continue to act on behalf of the working people of Ashfield and the rest of the country, and leave both Reform and the Tories to their soapboxes.”

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