Former Reform councillor joins far-right party

A former Reform councillor has joined a far-right political party, saying it “holds firm to decency, honesty, accountability, and fairness”.

Donna Edmunds was part of Reform UK when she won the Hodnet seat at last May's local elections.

However, she was suspended just days later for "bringing the party into disrepute" having posted on social media about her plans to defect.

She has been an independent councillor and sits on the council’s economy and environment overview and scrutiny committee.

Now Councillor Edmunds has joined Advance UK, a party that says it stands for "nation, freedom, democracy, and equality under the law."

She is the founder of The Survivors, a community-led organisation which seeks to “understand the grooming gang crisis and support survivors”.

Councillor Edmunds also sits on two task and finish groups.

"Shropshire Council is typical of councils across this country, beset by structural problems, rising costs, and declining accountability to the people who pay for it all," said Councillor Edmunds.

"Government at every level has spent decades costing taxpayers more while delivering less. I have seen at first hand, through my work with The Survivors, what happens when institutions prioritise their own reputations over people.

"That failure of accountability is not incidental — it is systemic, and it runs from town halls to Westminster. What's needed isn't another round of empty political promises, it's a return to basic British principles: decency, honesty, accountability, fairness. Advance UK holds firm to those principles, and that is why I am pleased to be joining the party.”

The leader of Advance UK, Ben Habib, said: "Donna Edmunds represents the very best of local politics — committed, grounded, and focused on delivering for her residents. We are delighted to welcome her into Advance UK as we continue to build a serious political movement rooted in principle and public service.”