Reform UK overtakes Labour as main opposition in Portsmouth
Reform UK is now the official opposition party in Portsmouth City Council after two Portsmouth Independent Party members defected today.
Councillors Emily Strudwick and Lee Tindall resigned from the Portsmouth Independent Party (PIP) to join Nigel Farage’s party today (February 24) – the same day as the full council meeting.
Cllr Tindal said: “When I chose to stand as an Independent, it was because I believed our community deserved a strong, honest voice — free from party control and focused solely on local priorities.
“I remain proud of the work achieved as an Independent and grateful to everyone who placed their trust in me.
“However, it has become increasingly clear that delivering meaningful change requires not only independence of thought, but the backing of a national movement committed to reform.
“I believe that Reform UK offers the clearest platform for restoring accountability, improving public services, supporting local businesses, and putting residents first.”
Cllr Strudwick added: “I’m excited to be joining Reform UK. Locally we need a strong, aligned and passionate group to take control of the local council.
“As leader of the Independents for the last year I’ve seen, first hand, the need for unity behind Reform UK and a focus on fixing broken Britain. That starts at the grassroots here in Portsmouth.
“We must fix our local council and local communities first, and I am eager to continue serving my local residents with the renewed backing of Reform UK”.
This follows a series of defections since last summer. First, councillors George Madgwick, the then leader of PIP, and Raymond Dent defected to Reform.
Former PIP members Derek North, Russell Simpson, Matthew Cordy, and Chris Dike joined Reform in October before former Liberal Democrat councillor and Lord Mayor Jason Fazackarley joined in November.
Following the latest defections, the new political makeup of the council is: 18 Liberal Democrats (who lead the council’s administration), 10 Reform UK members, nine Labour members, four Conservatives, and one independent.
This places the Reform UK group as the main opposition group, taking over from Labour.
The new leader of the opposition is Joe Standen, who was elected by Paulsgrove residents in October after Brian Madgwick, the father of George, resigned as a councillor due to ill health. He took over as leader of the Reform UK group after George Madgwick stepped down from the role in January this year.
As a consequence of the change, members were asked to vote for a new chair of the licensing committee, a position previously held by Emily Strudwick. Labour and Liberal Democrat members voted together to elect Conservative councillor Ben Swann to the post.
You can view the new political make-up on the council website and can read the proportionality report here.