Wrekin Reform chairman quits after parliament candidacy snub

The chairman of Reform UK in the Wrekin, has quit his role after being turned down as a parliamentary candidate at the next election.

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Andy Radford, the now former chairman of Reform UK in The Wrekin constituency said it was “with a heavy heart” that he has resigned as chairman of The Wrekin Reform UK, adding it “was not a decision I took lightly”.

He said he left the role after his candidacy for parliament was turned down by the national party, but says he has “no ill will” over the decision.

He said: “For the past 18 months, as a volunteer, I have committed an enormous amount of my time and energy to Reform UK - often working seven days a week full time to help build and develop the party locally in The Wrekin. I am proud of what we achieved as a branch and extremely grateful to the members, volunteers and committee members who supported me throughout that period.

“I recently put myself forward to become Reform UK’s parliamentary candidate for The Wrekin after receiving considerable encouragement from local members. I did so because I believed I could bring the same commitment, discipline and determination to representing this constituency that I have tried to bring to everything else in my life.

“I have now been informed that I have not been selected to move forwards in their selection process as a parliamentary candidate. If a decorated veteran who has devoted their life to the party isn’t good enough then good luck to whoever is.

“I respect Reform UK’s right to choose the candidates it believes are best suited to represent it. Equally, I have had to consider what that decision means for me personally and politically.

“Having given everything I could to the party locally, I do not believe it would be right for me to continue as the chairman while knowing that the party does not currently see me as the person it wants to represent The Wrekin in Parliament. I have therefore decided that the appropriate course is to step aside.

“I bear the party no ill will. I remain proud of the work we have done and I genuinely wish the members of The Wrekin branch and whoever is ultimately selected as its parliamentary candidate well.

“Only this week I was in Westminster with the Reform Deputy Leader, Richard Tice MP, discussing The Wrekin and, importantly to me personally, how we can do more to support veterans. I considered it a constructive meeting, and those issues remain just as important to me today.

“What I am certain of, however, is that my involvement in public life is not over.

“My commitment has always been to the people and communities of The Wrekin rather than to a title or political position. Over the coming days I will consider carefully what comes next, including whether standing as an independent candidate at the next General Election is the right course for me.

“Standing independently would allow me to speak directly for the constituency, judge every issue on its merits and continue putting the interests of local people at the heart of what I do.

“Equally, politics can change quickly, and I do not intend to make absolute declarations about where the future may lead. My priority is to continue standing up for The Wrekin and the causes I care about, particularly our veterans.

“For now, I want to thank everyone who has supported me during my time as the local chairman. It has been a privilege to work alongside everyone, and I will always be proud of what we achieved together.”