Former council leader Amanda Hopgood to chair ‘Reform Watch’ board
Established by national leader Ed Davey, the party has said it will “take a coordinated approach to opposition and [hold] them to account.”
Cllr Hopgood led the local authority between 2021 and 2025 as part of the Joint Administration – a coalition of Liberal Democrats, Conservatives, and Independents.
The Framwellgate and Newton Hall member urged Reform to deliver on its “promises to the people of County Durham” after it swept to victory to take overall control of the county council.
“From fixing potholes to boosting the local economy, people deserve a council that works hard for them,” she said. “Liberal Democrats will be holding Reform’s feet to the fire and standing up for our communities.
“On behalf of local people, our new team will shine a light on what Reform councils are up to, scrutinise their actions and fight to protect local services.”
Sixty-five Reform councillors were elected earlier this month, and although one member has already resigned their role, the party welcomed Cllr Paul Sexton into the party this week after he switched allegiances as an Independent.
After the election earlier this month, Cllr Hopgood urged Reform to “take advice, learn the job, and understand what local government is about.” But she warned: “You have no control over immigration, you are not going to be able to stop any boats coming into this country – and certainly not in County Durham.”
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Representatives from the other counties where Reform took control last week will also be invited to join the group.
The Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey, said: “A lot of people are rightly very worried about the threat Reform poses to our communities and the public services we all rely on. Nigel Farage has made it clear that Reform wants to do to our councils what Donald Trump and Elon Musk are doing to America.
“After our strong local election results, there are parts of the country from Durham to Kent where the Liberal Democrats are the only ones who can provide a real opposition to Reform. Our councillors will be strong local champions, holding Reform to account, protecting local services and exposing any waste of taxpayers’ hard-earned cash.”