A recent upheaval within the Reform UK party has occurred following the resignation of newly elected councillor Donna Edmunds, who has left the party after being suspended due to comments made on social media. Edmunds, who represented Hodnet in Shropshire, announced her decision on Sunday, just days after the party celebrated a significant victory in the local elections, where it secured over 600 council seats across England.

The suspension was prompted by a post made by Edmunds on X (formerly Twitter), in which she indicated she was contemplating her departure from the party. According to her statement, she had been reprimanded for encouraging voters to support Reform UK in the short term while expressing reservations about the party's long-term direction. Party officials subsequently accused her of bringing Reform UK “into disrepute” through her comments.

The local elections had marked a pivotal moment for Reform UK, showcasing the party as a credible contender in various regions previously dominated by the Conservatives. The results highlighted significant voter dissatisfaction with both the Conservatives and Labour, suggesting a shift in the political landscape.

However, amid this electoral success, internal discord has surfaced, particularly regarding the party's leadership. Edmunds referenced the suspension of Rupert Lowe, a former Brexit Party MEP and prominent candidate within the party, who was removed following a controversial tweet regarding “foreigners” that drew substantial criticism. His dismissal resulted in backlash from some local branches, which accused the leadership of betraying grassroots supporters.

In her social media statement, Edmunds expressed her initial pride in being one of the new councillors for Reform UK, stating, "Yesterday I woke up feeling very proud to be one of Reform’s 677 new councillors. This morning I woke up to an email from head office advising me that I have been suspended from the party ‘pending an investigation.’” She elaborated on the reasons for her suspension and expressed disbelief at being accused of damaging the party's interests for urging voter support.

As the party navigates this turbulent period, further scrutiny of its leadership and direction may be expected, particularly as it prepares for the upcoming General Election.

Source: Noah Wire Services