The former Tory MP states he has lost his trust in both the Labour and Conservative party
Ben Bradley has made the move to the Reform UK party (Image: Joseph Raynor/Reach PLC)
Former Mansfield MP and leader of Nottinghamshire County Council has joined the Reform UK party. Ben Bradley will be responsible for helping to cut council spending.
The former Tory joined the party on Wednesday, December 10, 17 months after losing his parliamentary seat. He is one of many conservatives that have made the move to Reform.
Bradley claims that he has lost his trust in both Labour and Conservatives and it will “not be coming back”, according to The Telegraph. Mr Bradley will act as head of local government action and pledges to “ensure that communities feel the benefit of voting for Reform.” Richard Tice will act as the deputy leader, the party said.
Ben Bradley’s move comes 17 months after he lost his parliamentary seat(Image: Joseph Raynor/Reach PLC)
Bradley will join the former Tory MPs Danny Kruger and Dame Andrea Jenkyns who have also made the move to Reform. However, a source told The Telegraph these “washed-up” former Tories are unlikely to receive a seat at the next election.
The 35-year-old will work on the party’s “Doge” efficiency campaign and said: “I’m delighted to be joining Reform UK at a really important time, and to be part of delivering the real change that is desperately needed. Successive governments have failed to deliver for so many people, and have demonstrated that they’re unwilling to actually deliver on key promises to voters.
“They have talked about being tough on crime, reducing immigration, about helping working people, whilst in practice they’ve failed to act and have delivered the opposite. The trust in those parties has gone, and it’s not coming back.”
Bradley was former vice chairman of the Conservative Party under Theresa May, but resigned over her Chequers Brexit Deal. He also broke the Tory whip when he voted against Boris Johnson’s plans for vaccine passports and compulsory vaccination for NHS staff in the pandemic.
Mr Tice has said that Ben Bradley will bring “strong leadership and deliver real real results for councils across the country”. Reform has attracted more than 20 former Conservative MPs recently but not all of these are expected to gain a job.
Bradley “had delivered record investment, secured major funding for services, and achieved both budget savings and service improvements,” added Tice.
“Ben brings a wealth of experience as a former local authority leader and MP for Mansfield. His expertise will help us provide strong leadership and deliver real results for councils across the country.
“In this role, Ben will support our council leaders and regional mayors. He will also work with me on our department of government efficiency – Doge – programme, helping Reform councils save money and improve services.”
