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Leeds Reform UK councillors resign to form new independent group following suspensions
Overview
Two Leeds Reform UK councillors, David Dresser and Paula-Jane Thackray, have resigned from the party following their suspensions pending an internal investigation. They have formed a new political group named Leeds First Independents, with Thackray as leader and Dresser as deputy leader and whip. Additionally, another Reform councillor in Doncaster, William Shaw, has left the party to sit as an independent.
Key points
- Councillors David Dresser and Paula-Jane Thackray resigned from Reform UK after being suspended pending an internal investigation.
- The pair formed a new political group called Leeds First Independents on Leeds City Council.
- Paula-Jane Thackray is listed as leader of Leeds First Independents, and David Dresser serves as deputy leader and whip.
- Reform UK confirmed the suspensions but did not disclose the reasons behind them.
- Separately, Doncaster Reform UK councillor William Shaw also left the party to sit as an independent.