Reform UK councillor to serve as an Independent

A newly-elected Reform UK councillor has switched to serve as an Independent because of his job.

Luke Shingler, who represents Nuneaton's Galley Common in Warwickshire, said he would be an Independent councillor for the "next 18 months" because his work meant he was unable to serve under a political organisation or party.

In a statement on social media before the polls, he apologised to electors for the "mistake".

A party spokesperson said they were "confident" Shingler would sit as a councillor for the party following the end of his employment, the nature of which has not been confirmed.

Shingler was elected to serve as Warwickshire County Councillor for Galley Common with 1,289 votes.

In a statement on Facebook on 28 April, Shingler said he "cannot run under a political organisation, party or movement due to my employment" but it was too late to change ballot papers that linked him to Reform.

"If elected, I cannot stand as a Reform councillor, I will have to be an Independent councillor representing you until I leave my employment," the statement said.

Shingler wrote that his message was delivered with "a heavy heart" and after "a very long few days trying to put out a fire that happened due to my mistake".

He wrote: "My beliefs are still of Reform, and I will remain a Reform UK member."

Shingler has not confirmed his line of work, and a party spokesperson said the councillor asked them not to disclose it since it would endanger his employment.

A Reform UK spokesman added: "Due to his employment, Mr Shingler is not able to represent any party on Warwickshire Council.

"We are confident that he will sit as a Reform UK councillor in 18 months following the end of his employment."

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