East Riding councillor joins Reform UK
Cllr Samantha Christon-Whyte, of the Mid Holderness ward, has joined the party
An East Riding councillor has announced she had joined Reform UK. Cllr Samantha Christon-Whyte, of the Mid Holderness ward, has joined the party after a stint as an independent.
Having been elected as a Conservative in 2023, Cllr Christon-Whyte later left the party, acting as an Independent councillor. She has now joined the two existing Reform councillors Jon Dimberline and Denise Howard on East Riding Council.
Commenting following her decision, Cllr Christon-Whyte said: “I am proud to have joined Reform UK because I believe politics needs to be more honest with people about the challenges we face and more serious about fixing what isn’t working. For too long, residents have been asked to pay more while waste, inefficiency and poor decision-making go unchallenged. I want to be part of a party that is prepared to question the status quo and put residents first.
“As a councillor for a rural ward, I see first-hand the pressures facing countryside communities — from infrastructure and transport to council tax and access to local services. Reform UK reflects my values and the way I already work as a councillor.
“I am excited to be joining a growing group of Reform UK councillors in the East Riding of Yorkshire and look forward to delivering practical, common-sense improvements for rural communities like Mid Holderness.”
In the council’s recent budget setting meeting, Cllr Christon-Whyte was one of just six councillors to vote against the 4.99% council tax rise. The two existing Reform councillors were also among the six.
Welcoming Cllr Christon-Whyte, a Reform UK spokesman said: “Samantha is a wonderful addition to our expanding team of councillors in the East Riding of Yorkshire. With her rural expertise and local business background, she will deliver the needed improvements to Mid Holderness and the wider area.”
East Riding Council has confirmed it has not been made aware of a new declaration and maintained there remains just two Reform UK councillors in the East Riding. The council say the current political weighting is as follows:
- Conservative Party – 23
- Liberal Democrats – 20
- Independent – 8
- Labour Party – 4
- People Before Party – 3
- Reform UK – 2
- Green Party – 2
- Other – 5