New Reform councillors for Spalding, Donington and Moulton outline their reasons for leaving independents
Five former independent councillors have explained their reasons for defecting to Reform UK.
Former South Holland Independents leader Rob Gibson was joined by councillors Manzur Hasan, Ingrid Sheard, Thomas Sneath and Jane King in being unveiled as new members of Nigel Farage’s party.
Reform is hoping to make big gains in the forthcoming Lincolnshire County Council elections — and will hope that the capture of the former independents can get them a foothold in this area.
The five councillors were part of a major surge for South Holland Independents in the last South Holland District Council election — in which they nearly won control of the authority — but have faced calls to stand down and re-fight their district seats under their new colours.
Councillors Gibson, Hasan, King, Sheard and Sneath feel that crossing the floor will give them a greater voice. Reform has five out of the 650 MPs in parliament — but figures such as Boston and Skegness MP Richard Tice and leader Nigel Farage have a big national profile.
Nationally, Reform has forward plans to bring in a French-style insurance based funding model for the NHS in its manifesto last year — but full details of its programme for the county council are yet to be unveiled.
Coun Gibson said that last year’s general election result played an role in his decision. The independent candidate, Coun Mark Le Sage, came fourth with 5,031 votes behind Paul Hiller (Lab, 9,086), Matthew Swainson (Reform, 10,606) and Sir John Hayes (Con, 17,462).
The Spalding St Paul’s councillor said: “The decision for me was prompted from the General Election result. A lot of people worked hard on the independent's campaign with a lot of money spent. We achieved a fantastic result, something we were all proud of. However, after all the time, effort and money we were not able to compete with the national political parties, the independent voice was lost in the big picture.
“As Lincolnshire is now heading towards a unitary county we will lose the county council in three years time, there will not be another district election and SHDC will cease in 2027. Our elected members are being pushed further away from their electorate and I fear the independent voice will be further lost.
“For me personally I don't align with the other large parties, but I do align with Reform, I feel this country could do a lot better and I'm sick of the never ending game between the red team and the blue team. I have met Mr Tice a couple of times and believe he is an honest and hard working MP that has offered to work together with us to achieve better outcomes for Lincolnshire and South Holland. Mr Tice is very much for safeguarding our area from solar farms, pylons and sub stations and this I very much welcome, in conjunction with Andrea Jenkyns as the Mayoral candidate they are looking out for Lincolnshire.
“We did discuss the option of being independent at district and Reform UK at county as I don't think local decisions should be influenced by party policies, it should be what is best for our area, Reform officials have confirmed they will not be instructing us how to vote or act at a district level.
“However, we felt that would be like trying to have the best of both worlds and maybe would confuse the situation so I have decided to change at both levels.
“This isn't a decision I have taken lightly, I have worked hard to build what we had, value all those that have worked with me, value every vote I received and in return I have worked hard for our area. This decision is something that I have pondered for many months knowing I would upset some residents, that didn't sit well with me. However, If not elected I am unable to help at all.
“Regardless of party affiliation I will not change who I am, I will work as hard as I ever have and do as much as I can to improve what we have in South Holland.
“In regards to timing of the change I have decided to change before the county election so that the electorate have the option to vote for me or not.
“I have received a lot of calls and emails of support and thanking me for changing, some from previous voters and some from people that haven't voted for me before.
“To the residents that voted for me, but now wouldn't, I apologise for changing affiliation but guarantee I am still the same person, will still work together with my independent friends, will still work hard for the area and will still do everything I can to support the residents of South Holland.”
Monkshouse councillor Coun Sheard says she is not planning to resign to trigger a by-election — pointing to the fact that other councillors have changed alignment without doing so.
Coun Sheard said: “I have had the opportunity to speak to numerous residents in South Holland and have listened to the large variety of issues and frustrations they face on a daily basis. I have brought their concerns and voices forward and in many cases this has led to improvements and resolutions. This will not change in any way.
“By becoming a member of Reform, I believe this will give everyone the best chance of getting their voices heard. This will be the best opportunity for me to work in their best interests and bring much needed change to a broken system. Change that has been needed for too long. We all know the areas that need improvement - anti-social behaviour and policing, infrastructure, our roads, our towns and villages, our community green spaces, to name but a few and alongside that national issues such as immigration, education, and our broken NHS system.
“I have always been and still am 100% committed to serving South Holland residents and giving them their say in how things are changed and shaped. Together we can make the necessary changes needed to improve South Holland and our lives, without constantly being bulldozed by pre-made decisions and being tricked into believing consultations are listened to or have any part in shaping our surrounding areas and lives.”
Coun Sneath has represented Moulton, Weston and Cowbit at district level since 2023 when he knocked out Rodney Grocock — who was not selected to stand as a Reform candidate in the forthcoming county elections.
He said: “Following months of criticism and taunts that being an independent, with no ability to implement change or clear party policy, I’ve spoken to my electorate and I am excited to announce, I will be aligned with the Reform UK Party.
“Not coming from a political background, I’m just a resident who found himself fed up with being told we have to accept the unacceptable. I’ve always challenged this rhetoric and will forever be thankful to those who gave me the opportunity to voice the unheard voices in our community.
“Together we face the biggest challenge in my lifetime locally, with the erosion of farmland to build industrial energy infrastructure under the disguise of energy security. We are told there is nothing we can do about it, accept it, we can’t change the decisions being made.
“That is unacceptable, so with the support of Richard Tice MP & Dame Andrea Jenkyns, standing as Lincolnshire Mayor, I will join with them in challenging this despicable attack on our beautiful fertile Fenland.”
Coun Hasan, who represents Spalding St John’s ward, said: “Recognising the challenges faced as an independent, I saw the need for stronger backing to deliver real change. I chose Reform UK because l believe they offer the right support to make a meaningful impact, and I am confident that no other party at present can move our community and country forward as effectively as Reform UK.
“Most importantly, I remain the same dedicated representative— always prioritizing local issues, putting your interests first, and ensuring every decision benefits our community. My commitment, dedication, and hard work remain unchanged.
Coun King, who has represented Donington since 2011, said of her reasons to switch: “I think more than anything being able to achieve more by having the voice that we as independents haven’t really got.
“I am still going to be me and the job that I have always done.”
