Overview
- Councillors Kathryn Hodson, Andrew Hodson and Graham Davies have joined Reform UK from the Conservatives after sitting as independent Conservatives last year.
- The trio represent the Heswall, Gayton and Barnston ward and will now sit as Reform UK's first elected group on Wirral Council.
- In a joint statement, the councillors said the Conservatives had strayed from core principles and pledged to continue serving their constituents under Reform UK.
- Reform UK's arrival shifts the council's makeup to Labour 27, Conservatives 14, Greens 14, Liberal Democrats 6, Reform 3 and two independents, leaving no party with a majority.
- Separately on Wednesday, St Helens councillor David Hawley left the Green Party to join Reform UK, adding to the party's local gains in Merseyside.