Two Wealden district councillors have defected from the Conservatives to join Reform UK.
The defections were announced at an event in West Sussex on Wednesday (March 25), which saw national leader Nigel Farage launch the party’s local election campaign.
South Downs councillor David Greaves and Hailsham Central councillor Neil Cleaver — both formerly members of the Conservative party — joined Mr Farage on stage and announced their defections.
In a statement released after the event, Cllr Greaves said: “Today, I am proud to be joining Reform UK — a party that truly reflects my values and beliefs. It is the only party offering a clear vision for the future: prioritising the British people, securing our borders, backing business and enterprise, ending the madness of Net Zero, and fully delivering Brexit.
“I am delighted to represent Reform UK on Wealden District Council and look forward to working with my new colleague to deliver a stronger, better community for our residents.”
In a statement, Cllr Cleaver said: “I have decided to defect to Reform from the Conservative Party because, over the last few years, I have strongly believed that the Party has not listened to the public, whereas Nigel Farage has.
“Both nationally and locally, our country has suffered from overdevelopment of villages and towns, public services under strain, and overall government mismanagement.
“I am joining Reform because I believe in putting British people first and delivering better outcomes for residents in Sussex.”
Cllr Cleaver has been a member of Wealden District Council since May 2019, having been re-elected in May 2023. He had been elected as a Liberal Democrat both times, but resigned from the party in 2024 due to what he described as “Green Party influence” in the Alliance for Wealden — a cross-party coalition which runs the council.
Cllr Cleaver had sat on the council’s Majors Planning Committee and scrutiny committee. It is currently unclear whether he will retain these roles as a result of political balance rules. He is also the council’s Armed Forces champion, having previously served in the army.
Cllr Greaves has been a member of Wealden District Council since May 2023. He had served on the council’s licensing committees. While now retired, Cllr Greaves had previously worked in hospitality training and later as a business manager in “the state school sector”.
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