Warrington Borough Council faces a challenging financial climate. In a recent development, John Roddy, the sole Reform councillor representing the Bewsey & Whitecross ward, has switched his affiliation to the Conservative Group. This move comes as the council grapples with significant financial difficulties. Roddy's defection now gives the Conservatives two seats on the authority.
Political Landscape in Warrington Shifts
John Roddy's decision to leave Reform UK and join the Conservative Group on Warrington Borough Council is directly linked to his concerns about the town's "worsening financial position." Sources indicate that Roddy felt there was a "lack of serious engagement" from his former party regarding these issues. His move, effective immediately, has altered the local political balance, albeit modestly, by increasing the Conservative representation.
Insight: Roddy's departure highlights potential internal party disagreements on how to address local financial crises.
A Pattern of Councillor Movements
This event in Warrington is not an isolated incident of councillors changing party affiliations. In October 2025, a significant number of councillors made cross-party moves:
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Twenty Conservative councillors reportedly defected to Reform UK around the time of the Conservative party conference.
These defections involved individuals holding various roles within the Conservative party, including former cabinet members and a press adviser.
However, an analysis by LGC suggested these changes did not alter the political control of any local councils at that time.
| Date | Number of Defectors | From Party | To Party | Location(s) | Notable Roles/Circumstances |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 7, 2025 | 20 | Conservative | Reform UK | Various councils across England | Former cabinet members, press adviser to the Conservative party. |
| Oct 7, 2025 | (Part of the 20) | Conservative | Reform UK | Hampshire and Dorset | Campaigning against parking restrictions (Cllr Barry Dunning). |
| Oct 7, 2025 | (Part of the 20) | Conservative | Reform UK | Basingstoke and Deane | Disillusionment with the Conservative Party (Cllr Paul Miller). |
| Nov 2, 2025 | 1 | Reform UK | Conservative | Dartford Borough Council (Kent) | Discomfort with anti-migration policies, seeking re-election. |
| Oct 31, 2025 | 1 | Reform UK | Conservative | Dartford Borough Council (Kent) | Felt Reform UK lacked experience/ambition. |
| Recently | (Undisclosed) | Reform UK | Conservative | Warrington Borough Council | Concerns about financial crisis, lack of engagement from Reform. |
| Since March | 8+ | Conservative | Reform UK | Various, including London Assembly (Keith Prince) | Long-standing Conservative members switching allegiance. |
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Signal: The period between October and November 2025 saw notable movements in both directions between the Conservative and Reform UK parties at the local government level.
Motivations Behind Defections
The reasons cited for councillors switching parties vary, often reflecting a combination of policy disagreements and perceived party efficacy.
In Dartford, Councillor James Buchan expressed becoming "uncomfortable" with Reform UK's policies, particularly regarding migration, and felt the party "doesn't really have the experience or ambition" to achieve his political goals. He was elected in July 2025 and his defection to the Conservatives was confirmed by the council leader. Reform UK described his move as a "betrayal of the voters."
Conversely, in October 2025, multiple Conservative councillors moved to Reform UK. Some cited a lack of alignment with Conservative Party politics, as in the case of Councillor Barry Dunning campaigning against parking restrictions. Others, like Councillor Paul Miller, indicated a broader disillusionment with the Conservative Party.
The large-scale defection of twenty Conservative councillors to Reform UK in October 2025 was timed to coincide with the Conservative party conference, an event perceived by some observers as having a diminished presence.
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Nuance: While some defections appear policy-driven, others may be strategic, aiming to align with perceived momentum or to address specific local concerns.
Official Responses and Party Standing
Political parties have reacted to these defections, with Reform UK confirming expulsions and criticizing perceived betrayals, while the Conservatives have attempted to downplay the impact of their own councillors leaving.
Reform UK stated that John Roddy had been "expelled last week" following questions about his comments.
Conservative figures, such as Kemi Badenoch, have insisted the party is "thrilled" with its policies, despite the significant number of councillors joining Reform UK. Badenoch dismissed the defections and ruled out electoral pacts with Reform UK.
A spokesperson for Reform UK in the case of Councillor Buchan stated it was "disappointing that Councillor Buchan has decided to betray the voters."
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Observation: The differing public stances suggest an ongoing dynamic where parties aim to control narratives surrounding internal movements and their broader political standing.
Conclusion
The defection of John Roddy from Reform UK to the Conservative Group in Warrington underscores the fluid nature of local politics, particularly when local authorities face economic hardship. His stated concerns about the council's financial health and a perceived lack of engagement from his former party are central to his decision. This event occurs within a broader context of councillor movements between the Conservative and Reform UK parties observed in late 2025, with varied motivations ranging from policy disagreements to strategic alignments. The responses from the involved parties reflect an effort to manage public perception amidst these shifts. Further investigation into the specific financial challenges facing Warrington Borough Council and the detailed engagements between John Roddy and Reform UK leadership could provide a more comprehensive understanding of the precipice of this political transition.
BBC News: Articles related to Councillor Roddy's defection in Warrington and other councillor movements.
Warrington Worldwide: Reporting on John Roddy's defection and the context of the council's financial crisis.
https://www.warrington-worldwide.co.uk/2026/02/16/reform-councillor-defects-to-tories-to-help-challenge-councils-financial-crisis/
LGC Plus: Analysis of councillor defections to Reform UK from the Conservative Party.
https://www.lgcplus.com/politics/governance-and-structure/twenty-tory-councillors-defect-to-reform-07-10-2025/
Huffington Post: Coverage of a Reform UK councillor's defection to the Conservatives due to policy discomfort.
https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/reform-councillor-defects-to-tories-amid-discomfort-over-policiesuk69073e93e4b0a1acfd419998?origin=top-ad-recirc
The Independent: Reporting on Conservative defections to Reform UK coinciding with the Conservative conference.
https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/news/conservative-defections-reform-farage-badenoch-b2840834.html
Sky News: Account of Conservative councillors defecting to Reform UK.
https://news.sky.com/story/fifteen-tory-councillors-defect-to-reform-this-morning-13446384
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