The Tories have been rocked by a deluge of defections as Reform UK secures more than a dozen new councillors in just one day.
Nigel Farage's party welcomed over a dozen councillors to their ranks this morning, meaning the party now has more than 900 councillors under its belt.
The defections, all from the Conservative Party, changed their allegiance on over a dozen different councils.
Reform claimed 677 council seats in the May elections and has since added 228 through by-elections and defections.
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Mr Farage's party saw four councillors defect on Gravesham Borough Council, with Emma Elliott, Aaron Elliott, Gary Harding and David Beattie all making the move.
The councillors said in a joint statement: "The Conservative Party is over. Only Reform can deliver the change Britain needs.
"This country is in an unrecognisable state because politicians in Westminster have failed to understand and deliver on the needs of the public.
"Decades of broken promises have eroded trust in the established parties, and they can no longer be given the benefit of the doubt.
Four Tory Councillors have defected to Reform on Gravesham Borough Council
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"A radical change in direction is urgently needed - and only Reform UK is in a position to deliver it."
A Reform Party spokesman said the party is "delighted to have a strong group on Gravesham Borough Council" and will always "welcome anyone who shares our vision for integrity, accountability, and meaningful change to join us".
Cllr Denise Howard has moved on East Riding of Yorkshire Council, as Cllr Debbie Soloman defects on Rushcliffe Borough Council.
Cllr Soloman said: "Reform UK is clear about what needs to be done to get our country back on track. It stands for common sense, accountability, and real change, which are values I have always believed in.
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Cllr Mark Whittington has joined Reform UK from the Conservatives
|REFORMUK
"I remain committed to serving my residents and will continue working hard for my community and represent Reform UK as only Reform will put British people and our country first."
Cllr Soloman noted that the Tories "failed to deliver meaningful change" when they were in Government, citing that as one of her reasons for defecting.
Cllr Cameron Adams and Duane Farr join Reform on Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council.
Commenting on his Defection, Cllr Farr said: "Following a lot of thought, I have come to the conclusion I no longer feel the Conservative Party is the right home for me.
"Having campaigned for Vote Leave and then joined the Conservatives to help deliver Brexit and support Boris Johnson, I believed it was the best vehicle to represent the will of the people. But that trust has been eroded - by the public, and by myself."
Cllr Duane Farr said 'trust has been eroded' with the Conservative Party
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When questioned about the defections, Kemi Badenoch said she wants people in her party "for the right reasons".
"I'm always very sorry to lose people from the party, but as you can see from this conference, we are changing the Conservative Party, talking about a stronger economy, stronger borders.
"Reform is a party that wants to spend more on welfare. We know there are some Conservatives who agree with those policies, on increased welfare, on nationalisation and if that's what they think is right for them, then we're sorry to lose them.
"But we need to make it very clear that we are the party of fiscal responsibility," Mrs Badenoch told ITV.
The 20 defections from the Tories to Reform:
- Cllr Paul Miller - Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council
- Cllr Robbie Lammas - Medway Council
- Cllr Barry Dunning - Hampshire County Council
- Cllr David Beattie - Gravesham Borough Council
- Cllr Emma Elliott - Gravesham Borough Council
- Cllr Gary Harding - Gravesham Borough Council
- Cllr Aaron Elliott - Gravesham Borough Council
- Cllr Cameron Adams - Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council
- Cllr Duane Farr - Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council
- Cllr Debbie Soloman - Rushcliffe Borough Council
- Cllr Denise Howard - East Riding of Yorkshire Council
- Cllr Caroline Clapper - Hertfordshire and Hertsmere Council
- Cllr Brett Rosehill - Hertsmere Borough Council
- Cllr Mark Whittington - South Kesteven District Council
- Cllr Jack Rydeheard - Bury Council
- Cllr Mathew Forshaw - South Ribble Borough Council
- Cllr Karl Arthur - North Yorkshire Council
- Cllr Richard Craddock - Cannock Chase Council
- Cllr Heike Sowa - Suffolk County Council
- Cllr Christopher Marlow - Bromley Council
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