A FORMER cabinet member has quit Reform and joined the Conservatives.
Karl Perks, who was highways chief for much of Reform’s year in charge of Worcestershire County Council, is the latest councillor to leave Reform.
Former leader Jo Monk, former deputy leader David Taylor, Ashley Monk and Matthew Jones have also left the party in recent months, and now sit as independents.
Reform remains the largest party on the council following Cllr Perks’ departure with 21 councillors, but this is down from 27 following the local elections in May 2025.
The Conservatives now have 13 councillors and are still the second biggest party on the council.
CONCERNS: Karl Perks said he saw “division encouraged where unity was needed” in Reform (Image: Worcestershire County Council)
Cllr Perks said he has experienced “division, fear and anger” in Reform.
“I joined believing it was a party that would challenge the establishment, change how politics operates and hold itself to the same standards of accountability that it demanded of others,” said the Stourport councillor.
“My experience as a councillor increasingly did not match that belief.
“Too often, I saw division encouraged where unity was needed, and fear and anger amplified where compassion and restraint were called for.
“That was particularly true of the political response to the murder of Henry Nowak.
READ MORE: Alan Amos backs Nigel Farage after Henry Novak comments
“His family had expressly asked that his death not be used to create further division, hatred or tension.
“I did not believe calls for ‘pure cold rage’ respected either their wishes or the responsibility leaders have to bring people together at such moments.”
TORY LEADER: Kemi Badenoch during a visit to Evesham last year (Image: Phil Wilkinson-Jones/LDRS)
Cllr Perks said he was “uncomfortable” with how Nigel Farage has answered questions about his £5 million gift from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne, which is now being investigated by the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner.
“I recognise that Nigel Farage maintains that no declaration was required and denies breaching the rules,” said Cllr Perks.
“My concern was with the manner in which legitimate questions were addressed and whether that reflected the standard of openness and accountability I expected from the party’s leadership.
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“Councillors are rightly scrutinised every day for our words, decisions and conduct.
“The same standard must apply to national leaders.
“I could not continue asking residents to hold me accountable while appearing to accept a different standard from those at the top of my own party.
“Right and wrong cannot be determined by popularity or simply by whether a leader’s supporters approve.”
But he said: “At the same time, over the past year, I have seen Kemi Badenoch grow into the leadership of the Conservative Party, and her approach has increasingly convinced me.
“I am not pretending the Conservative Party has not made mistakes.
“However, I believe the party is now confronting those failures and renewing itself under Kemi’s leadership.”
Worcestershire Reform leader Alan Amos said there was “no personal animosity” between him and Cllr Perks, adding: “It’s politics and I wish him well.”
Reform UK has been asked for comment.
