Here's why city's only Reform UK councillor has quit the party
Sunderland’s only Reform UK councillor has announced he is parting company with the party and will now complete his term as an independent councillor.
Cllr Ian McKinley, who represents the Hetton ward, released a statement on social media yesterday (February 12) confirming he was resigning from the party.
He said: “It is with great disappointment following a long perseverance with some branch chairs at Sunderland Reform UK, that today I have decided to part company with Reform UK and I will now complete my term, until May, as an Independent City Councillor.
“I will be completely in line with the promises I made to my constituents when they elected me and I will be working extremely hard so please keep the requests coming in. Thank you.”
Following the post we contacted Cllr McKinley to ask him to explain the reasons behind the decision.
He said: “I had hoped to remain with Reform up to May. Beyond May my intention was to be non-affiliated to any political party and end my time as a councillor – I want to connect with all my community and party politics is getting in the way.”
The Hetton ward councillor went on to explain he came under pressure from the party to change his mind.
Cllr McKinley added: “The pressure was getting worse and it was taking up time that I should have been spending concentrating on my work as a councillor – a role I am taking very seriously and enjoying.”
The news comes just 76 days after Cllr McKinley was elected to represent Hetton ward in a by-election triggered following the death of Labour ward councillor and former deputy council leader Claire Rowntree.
Councillor Michael Mordey, leader of Sunderland Labour Group, said the move was “damning and shameful” and reflected a “shambolic mess of a party”.
Cllr Mordey said: “Vote for Reform and God only knows what you’re going to get. They have no policies, so all they can do is spout divisive rhetoric and attack minority groups. It’s a total mess and Reform UK should come clean with the people of Sunderland as to why their only councillor has quit their party mere weeks after being voted in.
“Cllr McKinley’s decision to quit Reform UK proves to me that we can’t risk the future of our city by electing any more Reform novices. Of the two we have had, one didn’t turn up and was voted out of office and the second has only lasted weeks.
“Sunderland deserves better than Reform chaos. Only by electing Labour councillors on May 7th can we ensure we have grown ups running the city.
“Sunderland is a city on the up – don’t let Reform UK chaos hold us back.”
Sunderland Conservatives have also responded to the news Reform UK no longer has representation on Sunderland City Council.
Greg Peacock, the former Conservative councillor for Pennywell and South Hylton and former Chairman of the Sunderland Conservatives, said: "The unusually high number of Reform UK elected councillors that have resigned shortly after election suggests buyer’s remorse in choosing such a new and inexperienced party. There surely can be no clearer indication of the regret voters will feel soon after May 7th if they choose to give Reform UK candidates their vote."
We have contacted the chair of Sunderland Reform Branch for a response to the news.
As yet, they have not reponded.