Reform UK Deputy Leader steps down but assures move is 'nothing sinister'

82-year-old Christine Smith previously represented the Kirkburton Ward as a Conservative councillor for 15 years before returning to the council as a Reform UK representative for Dalton.

Coun Smith assured the Local Democracy Reporting Service that she was not stepping down from the role due to “any sinister reasons” and insisted she would still be ready to serve the locals of Dalton.

Coun Smith said: “I am stepping down from the role of Deputy due to personal reasons. I offered to help (Reform UK Group Leader) Councillor Sarah Wood because I had extensive experience as a councillor.

“A deputy needs to be able to step in at the last minute, and I am not able to currently do that.”

Continuing, Coun Smith explained that she looked forward to still “helping” wherever she could as a regular councillor and that her replacement – Councillor Mark Smith for Colne Valley East – will be “excellent”.

Coun Smith stepping down marks the third big shift to Reform UK in less than two weeks. Former councillor, Craig Wiles, resigned from his post as councillor for Almondbury on June 26, while earlier today (July 3), Reform UK’s Susan Maxfield for Liversedge and Gomersal defected to run as an Independent candidate.

Reform UK’s Group Leader for Kirklees Council, Sarah Wood, has been contacted for a comment.