Former Reading Conservative leader defects to Reform UK
Clarence Mitchell, former Tory leader on Reading Borough Council, switches parties after 16 years
The former leader of the Conservatives on Reading Borough Council has defected to Reform UK.
Councillor Clarence Mitchell, who represents the Emmer Green ward in Caversham, has become the party’s first councillor in the borough following his defection today (Wednesday, January 14).
He has lived in Reading for the past five years, first becoming a councillor for the now abolished Peppard ward in 2021, before being re-elected for the new Emmer Green ward as a Conservative at the all-out elections 2022.
Cllr Mitchell received 1,380 votes in 2022, the highest of any candidate in Emmer Green ward.
He subsequently led the Conservative group on the council, until the role was taken over by cllr Raj Singh (Conservative, Kentwood) in 2024.
Cllr Mitchell is a former newspaper and broadcast journalist, and runs a successful public relations and communications consultancy business from his home in Caversham.
He lives with his long-term partner, Nikki, who is a recruitment manager based in Reading town centre.
Commenting following his defection, Cllr Clarence Mitchell said: “I am delighted to be joining Reform UK today as a councillor to restore patriotism and purpose back into Reading.
“Having been a member of the Conservative Party for 16 years, I now believe that Reform UK is the only party that can truly represent and fight for the authentic values that are fundamental to our country’s recovery and its restoration of pride.
“Many voters have lost all faith in our politics, and they feel deeply let down that their concerns are not being listened to such as the cost of living, illegal immigration, the rise of woke-ism and an ever-encroaching level of State interference.
“Nationally, I believe Reform UK is the only party which has the credible vision, energy and sense of purpose to reset Westminster’s relationship with the British people for the better.
“Locally, I will play my part in that restoration of public trust in politics by continuing to serve my ward residents diligently with the integrity and commitment that I always have.”
Welcoming Cllr Mitchell, a Reform UK spokesman said: “Clarence is an asset to Reform UK and the people of Reading. We are delighted that he is joining us as a councillor to add to our expanding team.”
The news comes as the Conservative Party has been losing ground in Reading since 2022.
The Conservatives were previously the leading opposition party on the council with 10 councillors.
After the all-out elections that year, the Conservatives were left with a net loss of four seats, with Green Party becoming the main opposition group.
The Conservatives subsequently lost one seat each in Caversham Heights and Emmer Green during the local elections in 2023 and 2024.
Cllr Mitchell’s defection means the council is now made up of 32 Labour councillors, seven Greens, three councillors each for the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats, and cllr Mitchell for Reform UK and cllr Sarah Hacker (Independent, Battle).
Reacting to the news, cllr Dave McElroy (Green, Redlands), his party’s candidate during the 2024 general election, said: “The Greens are already the main opposition in Reading, so are clearly the best choice for anyone looking to defeat Reform and/or punish Labour for their low-fat Farage impression.
“We don’t need another party punching down on migrants and minorities while accepting crazy donations from foreign companies and billionaires.
“We’re focused on leaving Reading (let alone the planet) a better place for our kids. The town has been more or less under Labour control since the 80s. The best way to defeat Reform is to get rid of those responsible for the state of our borough.
“Green politics is built on hope, rather than fear; there is a real alternative to Reform and Labour in Reading, you can support the Green Party!
“So If you care about fair pay for a hard day’s work, whether you and your kids are able to own your own homes – that sort of thing – then you’ve got to hit them where it hurts by joining the Greens (https://join.greenparty.org.uk/).”