Latest news with #GuyAston
BBC News
29-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Reform UK expels Doncaster councillor over 'inappropriate' posts
A city councillor in Doncaster has been expelled from Reform UK over historic social media posts deemed "unacceptable" by party Broadhurst, who had been in post for just four weeks, will sit as an independent councillor after the party's decision to withdraw the whip on Guy Aston, Reform UK group leader, said the decision was a result of "inappropriate social media activity that does not reflect our values or standards: family, community, country."A Facebook page belonging to Broadhurst shared a post comparing black Islamic dress to "bin bags", and a now-deleted image which suggested Adolf Hitler would have been a "legend" if he had targeted Muslims. The Facebook page has since been made private, according to the Local Democracy Reporting the City of Doncaster Council annual general meeting last Friday, Mr Aston said the posts were not acceptable and were being investigated by the council."Councillors have a certain standard of behaviour. I have to say, I think that probably transgresses that," he said at the time. On Thursday, a spokesperson for Reform UK said: "The Doncaster Council Reform UK group has removed the whip following the conclusion of an internal investigation into councillor Broadhurst's social media activity."Before last week's AGM, the Reform UK group opted to not have the councillor represent the party on any authority committees or outside who was recently appointed deputy mayor of Hatfield Town Council, was one of two Reform UK councillors not to receive any posts on Broadhurst's Facebook page were swiftly condemned by Labour councillors in the town ward of Doncaster – the most ethnically diverse in the city.A statement from councillors Rob Dennis, Majid Khan and Gemma Cobby said: "We firmly express that Islamophobia, as well as all other forms of racism and prejudice, has no place in Doncaster."We represent all communities in the ward, not just those who vote for us, and we act in the confidence of our residents, both advocating and representing in their best interests."The trio extended an open invite to all councillors, including new Reform UK members, offering introductions to leaders of Doncaster's Muslim communities. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Doncaster Reform group shun offer to join mayor's executive group
Reform UK has rejected an offer to be part of a new-look Executive Group on Doncaster Council, after sweeping the board at the recent party won 37 of the 55 seats on the council, while Labour retained just 12 of the 40 it had previously Ros Jones, who narrowly held on to her role as Mayor and leader of the authority, offered to work with Reform and the Conservatives, but declined to invite them to join her group leader Guy Aston said the proposed group had "no portfolio [and] no decision making" and he was "not prepared to get involved," saying the party would impact decision making through normal scrutiny processes instead. Speaking ahead of his first full council meeting, Aston described the 37 Reform councillors as a "citizens army"."We have cracked the two party system here more than anywhere else," he said."Our councillors are citizens first, they were not attached for years to political parties and they didn't attend branch meetings."These are concerned citizens now in power, they want the best for Doncaster not for their own political ideologies." Aston, who previously served in the Royal Navy, would not be drawn on specific policies but did say he wanted a "constructive relationship" with the Mayor and would scrutinise policies on a "piece by piece basis"."There is no point in us bringing the house down around our ears" he about the ongoing work to reopen Doncaster Airport he said while "nobody would not want an airport, it must not impact on the Doncaster council tax payer".In response to questions about councillor Mark Broadhurst, who came under fire for historic posts on Facebook, he said the matter was being "referred to the council"."It is not acceptable, the vetting was quite thorough, but something has gone wrong" he decision to reject Jones' offer came after the Conservative Group leader also turn down the invitation. In a letter to the Mayor, Steve Cox said he and deputy leader, Nick Allen, did not want to be part of "back room" discussions "with no scrutiny"."That's not how democratic decision making should work and you know it," he said. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Reform UK selects Guy Aston as group leader for Doncaster Council
Reform UK has selected a leader for its group on City of Doncaster Council after the party surged to an overall majority following the local elections earlier this Aston, who was voted in as a councillor for Wheatley Hills and Intake on 1 May, was chosen as the group's leader on the council at a meeting on was one of 37 Reform UK councillors elected to the authority, with the group now forming the main opposition to Labour Mayor Ros Jones and her Monday's meeting, Aston described his role as leader as "an honour and a privilege" and vowed to deliver "serious change" in the city. Conisbrough councillor Rachel Reed was chosen as Reform UK's deputy leader on City of Doncaster Council at the same being chosen as leader, Aston told his colleagues: "What we have achieved here is incredible. From a standing start we are now the largest party on the council."Aston, who was born in Doncaster, briefly served in the Royal Navy before moving into sales and marketing, according to the Local Democracy Reporting having a majority of councillors, the Reform UK group on City of Doncaster Council acts as a very large opposition group to Jones, the directly elected mayor. Jones narrowly saw off the Reform UK challenge for Mayor of Doncaster by less than 700 votes and has now begun her fourth consecutive term in the week, she announced her Labour cabinet, made up of councillors Glyn Jones, Sue Farmer, David Nevett and James her cabinet appointments, she announced she would be inviting Reform UK and Conservative councillors to a private "executive group" on decision group will offer opposition councillors the chance to have an "input" on decision making, however, the final say on key decisions remains with Jones and the Labour Local Democracy Reporting Service understands that Labour will invite Aston and Reed, and whoever Aston appoints as party whip, to join the executive councillors from the Conservative Party are also expected to be invited, likely to be leader Steve Cox and deputy leader Nick Allen. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
