Reform councillor steps down after a week

A Reform UK councillor has stepped down a matter of days after being elected.

Desmond Clarke won in the Newark West division last week, helping Reform take control of Nottinghamshire County Council.

The party has now confirmed, however, that he has resigned his seat.

The BBC has attempted to contact Mr Clarke for comment.

In a post on Facebook, Reform UK Newark said: "Significant recent changes to Desmond's personal circumstances have led him to conclude that he is not in a position to deliver the level of service to the people of Newark West that they deserve and require."

Lee Smith, the chairman for the party's branch in Newark, said: "We all wish Desmond well in the future and thank him for his contribution to the success of Reform UK in the local elections."

A by-election will now be triggered for the Newark West division, but a date has not been set.

In a video uploaded to YouTube before the election, Clarke said if elected he would "ensure Newark's voice is heard loud and clear" and "fight for our fair share of resources".

His resignation has been criticised by Conservative group leader and former council leader Sam Smith.

"Seven days after fighting an election on a promise to cut spending and waste, the Reform County Councillor for Newark West has resigned which will result in the triggering of a by-election that will cost taxpayers thousands of pounds," he said.

Reform won 40 of the 66 seats which make up the county council last week.

The party has declined to comment other than to say it will contest the by-election.

Clarke won the seat with 35.9% of the vote and a majority of 153, beating the Conservatives' Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Keith Girling.

The Reform UK group on the county council are due to choose a leader from among their ranks on Monday.

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