Reform UK Councillor Resigns Days After Essex Election

Stuart Prior resigned from his seats on Essex County Council and Rochford District Council days after winning election on May 8, 2026. ” Prior told the Mirror he did not recall the posts, even after the journalist noted that images of his house and dog appeared in the same account.

Reform UK kept him as a candidate, and he won seats on both councils. Essex County Council became the first authority in which Reform secured a majority, ending 25 years of Conservative control.

Local authorities must now hold by-elections to fill the two seats. Rochford District Council estimates the combined cost at £35,000. These expenses are paid by the councils rather than central government. The Independent reported that 11 previous Reform resignations since the May 2025 elections have already triggered £287,000 in by-election costs.

Adding the latest pair brings the total to £322,000. 3 million in combined costs.

Since May 2025, 17 Reform councillors have left office.

Twelve of those departures involved vetting, conduct, or administrative issues. Reform UK said its vetting processes are as rigorous as those of other parties. ” The party noted that Labour has incurred nearly £1 million in by-election costs from two MP resignations during the current parliament.