Mailwatch(ed) Forum

And another one

A Reform UK county councillor in Staffordshire who sparked a council complaints inquiry has resigned, triggering a by-election.

Barry Martin, who represented the Stretton and Horninglow division, told the BBC he had stood down because of physical health issues.

In November, two complaints against Martin were upheld in a standards panel meeting, with the panel due to meet again next week. He was one of 49 Reform councillors elected in May 2025, as the party swept to power at Staffordshire County Council.

The complaints relate to his conduct and social media activity. Reform UK has not responded to the BBC's request for comment...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy2528e248o

...For the Conservative opposition on the council however, Martin's resignation was overdue.

Its leader Philip White said: "His constant stream of bizarre social media posts and breaches of council standards for bad behaviour towards residents have left people in Horninglow and Stretton without a representative they can trust to deal with their issues."..

Wankers say they vote RacistUK because they want something different to the mainstream. Boy, are they getting it!

Maybe Catherine West should have left it a week.

Tory group leader suspended for helping to topple Reform

The Tory HQ being completely unaware of how local government works. Quite frequently you do deals with people you wouldn't in central government if they give you more say than the other lot would.

Make of this what you will.

Ukraine flag removed from council HQ by Reform

The Ukrainian flag has been removed from outside Essex County Council's offices by the newly elected Reform UK administration.

A second Union flag was instead put up in its place outside County Hall in Chelmsford on Friday.

Council leader Peter Harris said it was a "proud moment", but in response, Tory opposition boss Lee Scott warned it could encourage "pro-Kremlin politics" locally.

The Ukraine flag had flown outside the building since March 2022, weeks after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of the country.

Another one incoming:

That's a Kipper posting about Labour, isn't it? And probably not true.

Not even 'probably'.

Ah, I get it. David was posting this chap as a liar and we couldn't see the explanation in the preview.

Tubby Isaacs wrote: ↑Sat May 16, 2026 10:00 am Ah, I get it. David was posting this chap as a liar and we couldn't see the explanation in the preview.

Sorry. I thought I'd posted the Labour councillor's reply rather than the original lie.

This explains it a bit more, together with some classic doubling down.

Who could have guessed that a thick racist might turn out to be a liar as well?

Police are investigating a newly elected Reform UK councillor's nomination papers over alleged false statements.

Ryan Coogan, the new leader of the Reform group at Huntingdonshire District Council, was elected to represent the Ramsey ward after the local elections on 7 May.

He had been the party's candidate in the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough mayoral election in 2025, finishing second behind the Conservatives' Paul Bristow.

When contacted by the BBC, Coogan said: "It would appear you know a lot more than I do." Reform has been contacted for comment. The council said it was "aware of a police referral".

Cambridgeshire Police said in a statement: "We are investigating an allegation of false statements on a candidate nomination paper and the investigation is ongoing."...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czd2j304y79o

<insert classic 'Casablanca' meme here>

Asked a Cambs Labour app group who grassed him up and all participants are disappointed it wasn't them.
Coogan bares more than a passing a resemblance to his namesake Steve's most famous comic creation.
https://www.ryancoogan.co.uk/?fbclid=Iw ... _ZWUOTjpsg

Youngian wrote: ↑Mon May 18, 2026 6:44 pm Coogan bares more than a passing a resemblance to his namesake Steve's most famous comic creation.

Doesn't look anything like Pauline Calf?

Didn't it cross Reform candidates' minds to have done some homework about becoming a councillor? Of course not, just common sense innit? How hard can it be?

This newly-elected Reform councillor who didn’t understand anything about being a councillor and was wanting to be voted in as the LEADER of Kirklees Council.

Responsible for the overall budget. Everything. That’s right. LEADER.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1EatdQ87Xs/

Kirklees sounds like a cluster fuck.

Though I only have sympathy for those who didn’t vote for Reform.

IIRC Kirklees had a pioneering green minded council not long back.

Leading innovators in information services too.

Another one gone:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm2px4v7p83o

Quick question: does Nige think that "vetting" means checking them for fleas and lice, and whether they need deworming?

It looks like this guy was suspended for calling the leader of Reform in the area “Mussolini like”.

I thought they liked that?

There are rumours circulating on social media that Danny Kruger might be planning to leave Reform and rejoin the Tory Party because he is not happy at the way Farage is behaving with regard to the £5m bung he received.