Breckland councillor Robin Hunter-Clarke claims members ‘refuse to look him in the eye’ after defecting to Reform

A Reform UK member claims his fellow councillors “refuse to look him in the eye” following his decision to join the party.

Cllr Robin Hunter-Clarke, who was the first councillor to join Reform in Norfolk, says members of Breckland Council have since shunned him.

The former Conservative Party member defected earlier this year in protest against Tory-run County Hall seeking to postpone the May local elections.

Cllr Hunter-Clarke, whose Hermitage ward covers Weasenham, has defended himself against criticism after choosing to keep his seat rather than seeking re-election after the move.

He was accused of hypocrisy at a recent meeting after suggesting county councillors would no longer have a “democratic mandate” next month as their terms of office will have expired and ought to stand down.

The Norfolk County Council elections were due to take place in May, but were suspended in light of the Government’s devolution and council reorganisation plans.

Sam Chapman-Allen, leader of Breckland Council, suggested Mr Hunter-Clarke should heed his own advice and resign following his “change of affiliation”.

Defending his decision, Cllr Hunter-Clarke said: “I did not leave the Conservative Party, the Conservative Party left me.

“I understand Conservative councillors would prefer not to have me here holding them to account but I’m afraid they’re stuck with me until the next election.

“I bear no ill will against any of my former colleagues but find it sad that many of them now refuse to speak to me or even look me in the eye.

“I made this decision because I can now represent my residents more effectively than ever before. They elected me and I have a mandate.”

Scott Hussey recently joined Mr Hunter-Clarke to become Breckland’s second Reform councillor following a by-election victory in the Bedingfeld ward.

County councillor Julian Kirk also left the Conservative Party to join Reform, but chose to stand down and try to win back his seat in a by-election.