Ribble Valley Council leader joins Reform UK party

Stephen Atkinson has resigned as leader of Ribble Valley Council after six years and joined Reform UK. He is one of 29 councillors nationwide who have left the Conservative Party, citing feelings of abandonment and disillusionment. Atkinson plans to run for Reform UK in the upcoming county council elections. He criticized both Labour and the Conservatives for failing to meet promises and described them as similar in their policies on immigration, taxes, and energy costs. Other Lancashire councillors, including Ged Mirfin, Matthew Salter, and Paul Ellison, have also joined Reform UK recently. Atkinson believes that uniting behind Reform is essential to challenge Labour effectively.