FORMER Conservative councillor John Cook-Woodman has defected to Reform UK, claiming he has been “impressed” by the party’s leader, Nigel Farage.
Cook-Woodman, who was a Cabinet member when the Tories ran Somerset County Council, has been a member of the county authority – now Somerset Council – for 16 years, representing Highbridge and Burnham South.
Responding to the news, Cllr Diogo Rodrigues, the Conservative leader on Somerset Council, said: “I am disappointed by Councillor John Cook-Woodman’s decision to leave the Conservative Party and join Reform UK.
“John was elected by residents as a Conservative Councillor and that role was entrusted to him based on the Conservative values, and manifesto, he stood on at election time.
“The Conservative Group on Somerset Council remains focused on holding the incompetent Liberal Democrat administration to account, standing up for residents on council tax, services, and value for money, and offering a serious and credible alternative leadership for Somerset.
“Our priorities remain as they have been since 2022, that we work as a disciplined and effective Conservative opposition on behalf of the people of Somerset.
“We will continue that work with determination as we head towards the local elections in May 2027.”
READ MORE: Politics news from your Somerset Leveller
Farage reminds one of Soviet leaders in Russia, whose propaganda was believed by groundlings who believed them. They were called ‘useful fools’. They had no use at all except false hope in their person aggrandisement. When their use was expended, so were they.
It reminds one of Soviet leaders in Russia, whose propaganda was believed by groundlings who believed them. They were called ‘useful fools’. They had no use at all except false hope in their person aggrandisement. When their use was expended, so were they.