Reform Watch: The 'don't drink and tweet' special
Each week we cast over eyes over what Reform have been up to – from bizarre proclamations to the detail of how their attempts to run councils are going.
The Lead is keeping an eye on Reform UK and their fellow travellers. Get in touch on X, Bluesky and Instagram or email ella@thelead.uk with tips and stories. We especially want to hear from readers whose local council is now run by Farage’s followers. In today’s edition:
Ian Cooper, the Staffordshire County Council leader who was booted from Reform over racist social media posts (revealed by Hope Not Hate), has stood down. But he will remain an independent councillor in Tamworth.
Also in Staffordshire, Reform UK councillor Chris Large has denied writing or endorsing racist comments on TikTok, including one which said racism “was a left-leaning term used to stop free speech” on his now-deleted TikTok account. The profile appeared to have been active from at least May 2025 and featured a number of videos in which Large outlined his views about politics and the work of the local authority. Reform UK isn’t taking any action against him.
And, in Durham, Councillor Paul Bean has now left Reform after being suspended in summer over alleged social media posts criticising asylum seekers and the party.
It follows, then, that in Reform’s plan to win in London – leaked by London Centric – its councillors have been warned not to drink and post. “Sounds silly, but it’s certainly important to remember,” said Jack Duffin in an internal candidate training presentation. “If you’re in any doubt, just don’t post it. It’s not hard.”
Duffin also admitted that the biggest threat to the party is itself and the people in it. He’s not wrong.
Finally, Reform has been forced to defend its own candidate against its own voters — because he’s from Bangladesh. Addy Mo Asaduzzaman, 23, who has indefinite leave to remain in the UK, was announced as the candidate for the Central Southsea ward on Monday, leading to criticism on social media. Councillor George Madgwick, who moved to the party in July and is now the group leader in the city, said the comments were “frankly disgusting” and the abuse was “appalling”. What a contradiction.
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