Former Tory MP and council leader Ben Bradley joins Reform UK party

A former Conservative MP and ex-council leader has joined Reform UK.

Ben Bradley, who has spent the past year out of politics after losing his Mansfield seat in 2024, confirmed he was joining the party in a new role over the “coming weeks” and would be responsible for helping to reduce spending at Reform-led councils.

He said the party was the only one “prepared to be different and to tackle the most pressing issues”, as he vowed to help “ensure that communities feel the benefit of voting for Reform”.

Bradley’s political opponents have accused the former Nottinghamshire County Council leader of having “no loyalty”.

He joins the fascist party following the recent Conservative defections of former Stoke-on-Trent North MP Jonathan Gullis, Lia Nici, who represented Great Grimsby, and ex Bolton West MP, Chris Green.

In a statement shared on Thursday morning, Bradley said: “Successive governments have failed to deliver for so many people, and have demonstrated that they’re unwilling to actually deliver on key promises to voters.

“I’ve been out of politics altogether for a little while, but I feel strongly that I can’t sit on the sidelines any more and watch our country fail.

“I’ve come to the conclusion that Reform UK is the only party that is prepared to be different and to tackle the most pressing issues.”

Leader Nigel Farage last week batted off suggestions he was welcoming in too many ex-Tories, adding: “We will not become the Conservative Party 2.0.”

Bradley said he would work alongside Richard Tice MP and his Department of Government Efficiency as part of the role.

In 2018, Bradley resigned from his position of vice-chair of the Conservative Party in protest at Theresa May’s Chequers Brexit compromise plan.

He warned the then prime minister her plan would not capitalise on the opportunities of Brexit and backed Remain ahead of the referendum.

The serving Labour MP for Mansfield, Steve Yemm said the move “doesn’t surprise [him] at all”.

He said: “A number of failed Tory MPs are joining Reform – and they all supported the disastrous Liz Truss mini-budget just like Nigel Farage. Birds of a feather flock together, don’t they?”

Former Tory colleague, Sam Smith, who succeeded Bradley as leader of the county council a year ago before Reform took over in May, added: “Turning to someone for help who once held three jobs, has now been in two political parties, voted to remain in the EU and declared a climate emergency across Nottinghamshire, is turning to someone whose political loyalties change with the wind.”

Bradley said it was “sad” to hear Smith’s comments on his decision.

“I think I’ve worked with Sam for a long time, and to some extent, I guess you make these decisions, you find out who your friends are,” said Bradley.

“I do think that’s sad and it’s probably a bit unnecessary, but I’m not going to sit and criticise friends and colleagues.”

Bradley believes moving to Reform UK will put him in a position to “really influence and change things”.

“I could have moved to Reform a year, 18 months ago. There’s a strong argument to say I’d still be an MP if I had, but it wasn’t the right thing to do at that time,” said Bradley.

“I’m enjoying getting into the next few weeks, I haven’t even started yet.

“Hopefully I can lend some experience and we’ll see what comes.”

Tice said the appointment would help Reform “deliver real results for councils across the country”.

He added: “Ben brings a wealth of experience as a former local authority leader and MP for Mansfield.

“As leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, Ben delivered record investment, secured major funding for services, and achieved both budget savings and service improvements.”

He was first elected as an MP for Mansfield in 2017 and later also became leader of the county council in 2021.