Reform UK’s Karl Johnson set to become new leader of Wakefield Council
Councillor Johnson was elected as the party’s Wakefield group leader on Monday
Last updated 12th May 2026
Reform UK councillor Karl Johnson is set to become the new leader of Wakefield Council.
Councillor Johnson was elected as the party’s Wakefield group leader on Monday, days after recorded a historic victory by defeating Labour at the local elections.
Reform took control of the council for the first time by taking 58 out of 63 council seats.
Labour has been in continuous control in Wakefield since 1974 but were left with just one seat following Thursday’s elections.
Coun Johnson, who represents Stanley and Outwood East ward, said: “It’s a great honour to have been elected as group leader and be nominated as the new leader of Wakefield Council.
“I’d like to thank every resident who trusted Reform UK to bring change at the election last week.
“We’re going to be working flat out to repay your faith and deliver for everyone in our district.
“Wakefield will always come first in every decision we take.
“Our focus will be getting the basics right – providing better value for money from council services, improving our roads, public spaces and restoring pride to our communities.
“I know that every councillor elected last week, everyone who works for the council, and all of our public, private and voluntary partners want the best for our district.
“We all care about building a positive future and capitalising on the amazing potential our district has. I look forward to achieving great things together.”
Coun Johnson previously served on the local authority as a Conservative councillor.
He was elected to represented Wakefield South ward in 2019 but quit the party in February 2023 and continued to sit as an independent councillor until the local elections of that year.
Reform members also elected John Thomas to be the deputy leader at a meeting held at Wakefield Town Hall on Monday.
Councillor Thomas, who represents Altofts and Whitwood, said: “It’s a real privilege to be elected by my colleagues as deputy leader of Reform UK and be nominated as the next deputy leader of Wakefield Council.
“I’m looking forward to being part of a strong Reform UK leadership team that focuses every day on making life better for all of our residents, no matter where you live in our district.
“Over the last few months I’ve spoken to thousands of people about the change they want to see.
“We are going to be looking at everything the council does so that we stop wasting your money, take long-term decisions rather than focus on political point scoring, and make sure the council genuinely listens to your views and involves you in decision making.”
Coun Johnson and Coun Thomas will be formally confirmed as the authority’s new leader and deputy leader at the council’s annual general meeting on May 20.