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BBC News
11-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Worcestershire's Reform UK councillors move to elect leader
Worcestershire's Reform UK councillors will meet today to select their first leader, as they look to secure control of the county least three contenders are expected to put themselves forward for the top job, including former Conservatives Bill Hopkins, Joanne Monk and Alan its success in the local elections, Reform UK now has 27 council seats, the most of any party. However, the group remains two short of an overall must decide whether to form a minority administration or form an agreement with another party. The county's new Conservative leader, Adam Kent, said his group would consider all options. Runners and riders Of Reform's group, only councillors Hopkins, Monk and Amos have served on the county council has their own position on how Reform should form an administration."Official policy is that we are not doing any coalitions or any deals. Our intention is to implement our manifesto," said councillor Amos."Obviously the reality is we're two votes short. So we will do whatever we can, within that context, to implement our policies." The former Labour MP was a Conservative councillor from 2015 to 2024. After leaving the party to become an independent, he joined Reform earlier this year."Being realistic and sensible, that doesn't mean you can't have discussions with other people, arrangements or understandings."While a coalition agreement would require a formal deal between parties, a minority administration could allow Reform to pass decisions on a vote-by-vote basis, provided it could secure at least two extra votes or abstentions from other councillor Amos ruled out any deal with the county's Conservative group."We're there to replace them. We are not there to prop them up." Since last Saturday, talks have been taking place between all the parties."What I have experienced… is how murky politics can be," said Bill Hopkins, another leadership contender, who insisted any talks should be transparent."People are sick to death of politics… we're straightforward, nothing hidden. I've got no sides and what you see is what you get," he said.A former UKIP, Brexit Party and Tory councillor, Hopkins left the Conservatives at the beginning of 2024. "My thought is that we will operate as a minority," he said."But in essence, what I want to have is a coalition, and I want the best people on their merit from each of the parties to join us together to form the next council.""Voters turned to Reform because they are tired of backroom deals," said councillor Monk, who defected from the Conservatives in March and who declined to be interviewed."We should govern as a minority administration, with courage and conviction. We will offer an open hand to other parties and groups on issues where we can agree," she said in a Sunday, Reform UK's regional director Pete Durnell told the BBC's Politics Midlands programme the party would work with other groups. As well as Worcestershire, it has a majority in Staffordshire and is the largest group in Warwickshire. In Shropshire, one of the party's newly-elected councillors has already quit, describing it as a 'cult'. Potential partners Despite Reform being close to a majority, talks are also understood to have taken place between the county's other parties: the Greens, Liberal Democrats and Labour."It is no overall control, so anything can happen," said one source."I think everyone is starting to talk to everyone… with lots of attempted horse trading."Before defeat in last Thursday's local elections, the Conservatives had been in control of the county council for 20 Tories now have just 12 councillors, though remain the second largest party on the group's new leader, Adam Kent, said he expected Reform UK to lead the council and did not rule out a power-sharing agreement."We've got to deliver for the people of Worcestershire. I don't think it's just Reform," he said."I think everything is on the table. There's opportunities in all directions really." He stressed his priority would be ensuring residents' key issues were addressed, including public transport, flood alleviation schemes and improvements to children's services and fostering."There wasn't really a local manifesto from Reform. It was all on national policies. So nobody really knows what they stand for locally," he said."As soon as we know who the leader of Reform is, it'll be clearer what we can do."Any power-sharing agreement between parties must be reached before the County Council's Annual Meeting on 22 the local authority's constitution, councillors must appoint a leader at that session, although they can subsequently remove them and appoint another. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X, and Instagram.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
People want powerful change after election
Worcestershire's election results, which saw the Conservatives lose overall control of the county council after 20 years, show people want "powerful change", according to Worcester's MP. Reform won 27 of the 57 seats on Worcestershire County Council last week – two short of an overall majority - and Labour MP Tom Collins said it was now up to the party to make the most of the opportunity. Labour lost a seat on the council meaning there are just two councillors remaining. He said his party was nine months in to leading the country but it was "a sign that people want to see powerful change, they want to see people ready to make decisions – that's entirely what we're here for." "I'm very pleased that we managed to hold two seats," said Mr Collins. "The Conservatives had such a strong hold on the council and what we've seen is a clear sign of frustration – and I agree. Bill Hopkins, who left the Conservative party to join Reform, said he will put himself forward to lead the group on the council [BBC] "We've had 14 years of disaster nationally and our county council's been an utter disaster locally, so this is a moment for change, and we'll have to see now what Reform do with their opportunity." He said he would "keep doing it locally" adding that he had to keep listening, putting people first and "bring the change that we want to see." The new look of the council will take shape over the next few days with councillor Bill Hopkins, who held his seat for Reform in St Chads in the Wyre Forest, saying he will put himself forward to lead the group on the council. Reform could decide to form a minority administration or make a deal to reach the magic number of 29. Alan Amos, elected for Reform in Bedwardine, said at Thursday's election count there would be "no deal with the Tories". Labour councillor Richard Udall said of Reform's rise to power that he was concerned but was "prepared to work with whoever has been elected, who has gained the confidence of their electorate to try and achieve the best for Worcestershire." "I believe by using common sense, we can come together and come to some sort of arrangement," he added. "They're going to have a lot of inexperience, they're going to be lacking in a lot of knowledge and it's going to be a steep learning curve for them. I'm here to help them if they want my assistance." This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. More on this story Related internet links
BBC News
06-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
People want powerful change after Worcestershire elections
People want powerful change after election - MP Just now Share Save Caroline Gall BBC News, West Midlands Phil Wilkinson Jones Local Democracy Reporting Service, Worcestershire Share Save BBC Tom Collins MP said he was pleased Labour held on to two seats in Thursday's election Worcestershire's election results, which saw the Conservatives lose overall control of the county council after 20 years, show people want "powerful change", according to Worcester's MP. Reform won 27 of the 57 seats on Worcestershire County Council last week – two short of an overall majority - and Labour MP Tom Collins said it was now up to the party to make the most of the opportunity. Labour lost a seat on the council meaning there are just two councillors remaining. He said his party was nine months in to leading the country but it was "a sign that people want to see powerful change, they want to see people ready to make decisions – that's entirely what we're here for." "I'm very pleased that we managed to hold two seats," said Mr Collins. "The Conservatives had such a strong hold on the council and what we've seen is a clear sign of frustration – and I agree. Bill Hopkins, who left the Conservative party to join Reform, said he will put himself forward to lead the group on the council "We've had 14 years of disaster nationally and our county council's been an utter disaster locally, so this is a moment for change, and we'll have to see now what Reform do with their opportunity." He said he would "keep doing it locally" adding that he had to keep listening, putting people first and "bring the change that we want to see." The new look of the council will take shape over the next few days with councillor Bill Hopkins, who held his seat for Reform in St Chads in the Wyre Forest, saying he will put himself forward to lead the group on the council. Reform could decide to form a minority administration or make a deal to reach the magic number of 29. Alan Amos, elected for Reform in Bedwardine, said at Thursday's election count there would be "no deal with the Tories". Labour councillor Richard Udall said of Reform's rise to power that he was concerned but was "prepared to work with whoever has been elected, who has gained the confidence of their electorate to try and achieve the best for Worcestershire." "I believe by using common sense, we can come together and come to some sort of arrangement," he added. "They're going to have a lot of inexperience, they're going to be lacking in a lot of knowledge and it's going to be a steep learning curve for them. I'm here to help them if they want my assistance." This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Local farms taking a hit after USDA cuts programs
FALLS, WYOMING COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— More federal budget cuts are on the way, this time, impacting the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). These cuts will do away with two pandemic-era programs which provided a billion dollars worth of funding to schools and food banks to purchase their food from local farms. 28/22 News Reporter Avery Nape met with a local farmer to find out how these cuts will be affecting business going forward. Bedbugs discovered at Carbondale Area High School The IU.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced it would do away with two programs which granted funding to schools and food banks. One is the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement- or LFPA. $420 million in funding was given to food banks to provide locally sourced food to people in need. 'We supply them with a full line of home-grown produce. Various kinds of peppers, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, sweet corn, squash, cucumbers, pickles, beans,' said Bill Hopkins, managing partner of Hopkins Farm. Bill Hopkins, managing partner of Hopkins Farm in Falls, has been involved in the program since its inception in 2022. He delivered truck loads of produce to Weinberg Food Bank throughout their summer harvest. He says the food bank purchases food from the farm at costs below market value. Much of that produce, would otherwise go to waste, making it a win-win for both parties. 'I have a good idea of what they need every week. And then if I have extras of other stuff and they have a use for it, they get that too,' stated Hopkins. The decision comes as the Trump administration slashes federal spending to reduce waste. The program was created under the Biden administration, using funding from the department's commodity credit corporation, a depression-era fund to purchase goods directly from farmers. A USDA spokesperson said in an email to 28/22 News, in-part: 'As pandemic-era programs, the local food purchase assistance cooperative agreement program (LFPA) and the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS) will now be sunsetted at the end of the performance period, marking a return to long-term, fiscally responsible initiatives.' They say this isn't an abrupt shift, and that the remainder of the programs' funding was released earlier this month to fulfill their existing commitments. Hopkins says while the decision does not put his business in jeopardy, they'll still be taking a hit. 'I'm concerned it is going to impact our business, but I don't believe it'll be detrimental,' added Hopkins. Hopkins tells us that regardless of the cuts, he will continue supplying the Weinberg Food Bank with whatever leftover produce they have on-hand. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
