Cornwall councillor switches allegiance from Reform UK to Restore Britain
Roger Tarrant resigns from Cornwall Council's deputy group leader role
Last updated 22nd Apr 2026
Councillor Roger Tarrant has announced his resignation from his role as Deputy Group Leader for Reform UK at Cornwall Council to join the Restore Britain Party.
In a statement, Roger Tarrant cited feedback from his constituents and his commitment to his principles as the reasons for the change.
Tarrant expressed discontent with the direction Reform UK has taken since his candidacy in the last General Election, highlighting increased similarities between the Tory manifesto and Reform UK policies.
According to Tarrant, internal decisions within the party, such as removing branches and appointing unelected interim officers, have resulted in disengagement and disillusionment among members in Cornwall.
He articulated concerns that volunteer County Organisers have operated without consulting elected councillors, interfering with Council business, and leading to departures from the party.
Tarrant criticised the party's head office for not addressing challenges related to regional and national directors and for recruiting politicians from other parties, which he believes have historically failed the country.
As a result, Tarrant has withdrawn his application to stand as a parliamentary candidate for Reform UK, feeling that the party no longer aligns with his values.
He says his focus will remain on serving the residents of Redruth North, ensuring their views are represented and promoting accountability and transparency as a County Councillor.
A Reform UK spokesman said: “Cllr Tarrant only recently asked the Cornwall Council group to make him leader. They chose someone else and were clearly right to do so. These are the actions of a disgruntled individual who has betrayed his colleagues and his voters who elected a Reform UK councillor less than a year ago.”