Two Coventry Conservative councillors defect to Reform...

[dutchman]

Both have been Tory councillors for years



Two Coventry Conservative councillors have defected to Reform UK. It has been announced that councillors Jackie Gardiner and Marcus Lapsa have left the Tories to join Reform.

With over 15 years experience, Marcus Lapsa has represented Westwood on the city council since 2008. Cllr Jackie Gardiner has represented Sherbourne on the council since 2022.

Now they will be the first Reform members at the council. In a statement, both said that they felt the Conservative party 'has changed' and they 'feel let down'.

"I have joined Reform because both Labour and the Conservatives have failed our country on a massive scale," Cllr Lapsa said in a statement. "The migrant crisis is out of control, taxes continue to soar, bins fail to be collected, and potholes plague our streets. Councils across the country are no longer able to deliver for local residents. I would rather side with a party committed to its citizens than one consumed by party politics and self interests.”

Commenting on her defection, Cllr Gardiner said: "I have joined Reform because of their determination to uphold British culture, identity, and values. They are the only party that will take back control of our borders, repair broken public services, cut taxes, and slash energy bills. The British people are sick of an out-of-touch political class which is never held accountable for their actions."

Cllr Gary Ridley, leader of the Conservative group at Coventry City Council, said: “This is an absolute betrayal of voters in Sherbourne and Westwood wards who voted for Conservative representation. If Cllrs Gardiner and Lapsa have a shred of honour left, they will resign their seats and stand for election under their new party banner.

"Reform claims to have all the answers, but they’ve got no plan to improve our city at all. Now they have a presence on the Council they will face greater scrutiny from voters who will want to know what policies they actually have, or if it’s just bluster.”