Three independent Mansfield councilors defect to Reform UK

Three Mansfield councilors have switched allegiances to Reform UK

Reform UK Five men in suits smiling and giving a thumbs up sign outside council offices. The three councilors are the first three from the left and are pictured with Reformers Richard Tice and Lee Anderson. — Three Mansfield councilors have switched allegiances to Reform UK

Three independent county councilors in Nottinghamshire have announced they have defected to Reform UK.

Mick Barton, Barry Answer and Martin Wright, who were elected to Mansfield District Council in May 2023, will make up the new Reform UK group at the authority.

It comes after Nigel Farage called out Tory county councillors defect of the party.

Ashfield MP Lee Anderson, who defected to Reform UK in March, after losing the Tory whip, said the three councilors represented the UK’s first reformed councilors in Nottinghamshire.

“Changing Political Landscape”

Answer represents Rufford, while Wright and Barton both represent the Forest Town ward.

Barton, who was the former leader of Mansfield Independents, said: “After several meetings and many discussions, we are looking forward to working with members and local residents as we aim to make a difference both nationally and locally .

“The political landscape has changed, so we must change with it to best serve our constituents.

“We have had great support from the local people we have spoken to and been encouraged to make this move and we can only see support growing in the future.

“I’ve been a local councilor myself for 21 years and I bring a lot of experience from the roles I’ve taken on within the local council and I know what it takes.”

Mick Barton (left) Barry Answer (centre) and Martin Wright (right) to set up UK reform group at Mansfield District Council

Mansfield District Council Head and shoulders photos (left to right) of Councilors Mick Barton, Barry Answer and Martin Wright. They all wear white shirts, dark jackets and ties — Mick Barton (left) Barry Answer (centre) and Martin Wright (right) to set up UK reform group at Mansfield District Council

Anderson said he was “delighted” councilors had decided to “board with the people’s army”.

He added: “Councillors across the country are joining us because they know that Reform Britain is the only party that is taking the fight to Labor and Keir Starmer.

“This is just a glimpse of what’s to come as Britain’s host of reformed councilors are elected by the British people in May 2025.

“Let this be a warning to both the Labor Party and the Conservative Party – we are coming for you.”