Councillor Quits Reform UK, Sparking 'Sour Grapes' Row with Former Tories

An Old Colwyn councillor, David Carr, has dramatically resigned his membership from Reform UK, just weeks after joining, claiming he was "disillusioned" by the influx of former Conservative councillors. The move has ignited a fierce public row, with Reform UK and its newest members dismissing his claims as "sour grapes" and alleging he was rejected by the party himself.

Cllr Carr, an independent councillor, revealed he left Reform on Wednesday, July 30, after being a member since June. He stated his decision was driven by the recent high-profile defection of former Conservatives, Cllrs Louise Emery and Tom Montgomery, to the party. He specifically criticised Cllr Emery, who he said was presented as the Conwy leader for Reform, for her past record as deputy leader of Conwy County Council.

“I was hoping new people would come along and things would change, but when it is the same old Conservatives, I don’t want to be part of it,” Cllr Carr said. He accused Cllr Emery of being "tainted by the past" for supporting policies such as council tax increases, four-weekly bin collections, and working-from-home initiatives. “Nigel Farage said, ‘We will not be a home for Conservatives who want to keep their seats’ – of course that’s what’s happened.”

However, the Reform UK Conwy group has hit back, claiming Cllr Carr's account is a result of his own rejection by the party. Speaking on behalf of the group, Cllr Louise Emery said, "Our understanding is that David applied to be approved to be a Reform Councillor, and he was rejected by the vetting process. This is nothing more than sour grapes from a councillor desperately searching for a way of getting re-elected."

Cllr Emery also highlighted Cllr Carr's history of switching political affiliations, noting he had been a member of the Conservative Party, Labour, Liberal Democrats, and an independent councillor, all within the last three years. She added that she and Cllr Montgomery joined Reform "because we believe in real change for the future."

In response, Cllr Carr strongly denied applying to become a Reform councillor, stating he was "quite happy to be just a member." He said he was enthusiastic about the party's platform but felt betrayed when it seemed to be attracting the very people he felt were part of the problem.

The public feud has also drawn in other local political figures. Cllr Cheryl Carlisle, leader of Conwy’s Conservative Group, defended her group's record and also took aim at Cllr Carr's frequent party changes. "Hopefully Cllr Carr will find a party or political group that will finally accept him, having been a member of in excess of five groups in the three short years that he has been a councillor," she commented.

This political turmoil follows Cllr Goronwy Edwards’ resignation from his cabinet position and removal from the First Independent Group after it emerged he had not declared his own membership of Reform UK. The war of words underscores the volatile and shifting political landscape in Conwy as national parties look to make inroads at a local level.