Former Hartlepool Labour councillor joins Reform UK

Councillor Aaron Roy, Hart ward representative on Hartlepool Borough Council, announced the move by appearing on stage at a Reform UK rally in Sunderland with party leader Nigel Farage.

Earlier in March Cllr Roy resigned from the Labour Party and became an independent councillor – claiming his decision was “about honesty and transparency”.

Cllr Aaron Roy, Hartlepool. Photo credit: Reform UK.

The NHS nurse cited how Labour had previously pledged to freeze council tax before ultimately proposing a 1.98 per cent rise through the adult social care precept.

His move to Reform means the party now has five councillors on the local authority.

Cllr Roy said: “Hartlepool is ready to define a new identity as a town built on unity, opportunity, and pride.

“For too long, we’ve seen promises that haven’t delivered the change people deserve.

“Our community needs transparent, accountable leadership and a strong opposition that will challenge where necessary and focus on creating real opportunities and better outcomes for everyone.”

Crowd At Sunderland Live For Reform Local Election Launch. Photo Credit Ldrs

Speaking at the rally at Sunderland Live Arena on Thursday evening, Cllr Roy said he is “an adopted son of Hartlepool” and the decision was “a statement of who I am, what I believe in, and who I stand for”.

He continued: “My ideology has not changed, my values have not changed, my commitment to the people of Hartlepool has not changed, what has changed is the platform through which I am continuing to do that work.”

Mr Farage said Cllr Roy “is the beginning, here in the North East, of what I hope we can turn into a tidal wave between now and May 7th of patriotic people prepared to do their bit, who recognise that Labour has left them behind”.

That date is when local elections will occur in many parts of the country and in Hartlepool one third of the 36 seats on the Labour-run council will go before voters – with Cllr Roy’s position not one of them.

He was elected in May 2024, becoming one of the first two BAME councillors in the borough alongside Labour’s Councillor Que Bailey-Fleet.

A Labour spokesperson said: “Reform has no plan for Hartlepool – across the country they have brought chaos and division to our communities.

“Hartlepool Labour will carry on working hard for Hartlepool residents to deliver real progress and make sure that Hartlepool is on the up.”