Stoke councillor defects to Reform citing “need for real change”
Cllr Jellyman was first elected in 2015 and represents the Hanford, Newstead & Trentham ward
Last updated 7th Nov 2025
Stoke-on-Trent councillor Daniel Jellyman has announced he is joining Reform UK, saying the party led by Nigel Farage is the only one offering “real answers” to the country’s biggest challenges.
Cllr Jellyman, who was first elected in 2015 and represents the Hanford, Newstead & Trentham ward in the south of the city, said he could “no longer support a Conservative Party that has lost its way.”
“The Conservative Party has left me,” he said.
“It’s the right moment to join a party that puts family, community, and country first, priorities too often forgotten by successive Labour and Conservative governments.
"Our country is clearly struggling. As a councillor for over a decade, I’ve fought to deliver real, transformative change for our city, but time and again I've been hampered by a system in which crucial decisions are made by unelected, out-of-touch bureaucrats.”
Reform UK described the move as part of a growing trend of local representatives switching allegiance, which they say reflects public frustration with the political establishment.
Cllr Jellyman added that successive governments had failed to deliver economic opportunity for communities like Stoke-on-Trent:
“Too many of my family and friends have limited job prospects due to the bad economic decisions successive governments have made. And despite Labour's promises, there is little prospect of high-skilled, well-paid work locally. This must change, and I believe only a Reform UK Government with Nigel Farage as Prime Minister will bring it about.”
A Reform UK spokesperson welcomed his defection, saying:
“We’re delighted to have Daniel on board. We welcome anyone who shares our vision for integrity, accountability, and meaningful change to join us.”
"nothing lasts forever"
In response Stoke-on-Trent Conservatives said:" We are disappointed to receive the news this morning that Cllr Dan Jellyman has resigned from the party to join Reform UK and Cllrs Heather Blurton and Maxine Clark have resigned from the party to sit as un-aligned councillors.
"The news is particularly disappointing given the close team bond and hard work which delivered success for Conservatives at local elections in 2015, 2019, and an increase in the Conservative vote share in 2023, despite a difficult national picture.
"As the current Deputy Group Leader, Councillor Lorraine Beardmore will become interim Group Leader."
Stoke-on-Trent Conservative Federation Chairman Dean Richardson said “The news this morning is very disappointing. Over a number of years, the Conservative team here in Stoke has worked hard to build a party that offered residents a real alternative after decades of Labour taking our area for granted.
"The team bond in Stoke has been very strong and has been fundamental to Conservative success in Stoke-on-Trent, and whilst I appreciate that nothing lasts forever and respect the decisions Dan, Heather and Maxine have made, I am saddened that three councillors have left the party today.”
“I would like to thank Cllr Jellyman, Cllr Blurton and Cllr Clark for their work during their time with the party. We will now get behind Cllr Lorraine Beardmore as interim group leader and will ensure that we continue to work hard as a team for residents across Stoke-on-Trent.”
Cllr Lorraine Beardmore said “I would like to thank Daniel for his years of service as a Conservative councillor and local party member. Whilst it’s disappointing that he feels the national party no longer represents his values and beliefs, I respect his decision.
"We’ll miss him in our group and wish him well for the future.”