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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Reform councillor in Nottinghamshire quits one week after election | Reform councillor in Nottinghamshire quits one week after election |
| (5 days later) | |
| Desmond Clarke was elected a week ago | Desmond Clarke was elected a week ago |
| A Reform UK councillor has stepped down a matter of days after being elected. | A Reform UK councillor has stepped down a matter of days after being elected. |
| Desmond Clarke won in the Newark West division last week, helping Reform take control of Nottinghamshire County Council. | Desmond Clarke won in the Newark West division last week, helping Reform take control of Nottinghamshire County Council. |
| The party has now confirmed, however, that he has resigned his seat. | The party has now confirmed, however, that he has resigned his seat. |
| The BBC has attempted to contact Clarke for comment. | |
| In a post on Facebook, Reform UK Newark said: "Significant recent changes to Desmond's personal circumstances have led him to conclude that he is not in a position to deliver the level of service to the people of Newark West that they deserve and require." | In a post on Facebook, Reform UK Newark said: "Significant recent changes to Desmond's personal circumstances have led him to conclude that he is not in a position to deliver the level of service to the people of Newark West that they deserve and require." |
| Reform won 40 Nottinghamshire seats last week | Reform won 40 Nottinghamshire seats last week |
| Lee Smith, the chairman for the party's branch in Newark, said: "We all wish Desmond well in the future and thank him for his contribution to the success of Reform UK in the local elections." | Lee Smith, the chairman for the party's branch in Newark, said: "We all wish Desmond well in the future and thank him for his contribution to the success of Reform UK in the local elections." |
| A by-election will now be triggered for the Newark West division, but a date has not been set. | A by-election will now be triggered for the Newark West division, but a date has not been set. |
| In a video uploaded to YouTube before the election, Clarke said if elected he would "ensure Newark's voice is heard loud and clear" and "fight for our fair share of resources". | In a video uploaded to YouTube before the election, Clarke said if elected he would "ensure Newark's voice is heard loud and clear" and "fight for our fair share of resources". |
| His resignation has been criticised by Conservative group leader and former council leader Sam Smith. | His resignation has been criticised by Conservative group leader and former council leader Sam Smith. |
| "Seven days after fighting an election on a promise to cut spending and waste, the Reform county councillor for Newark West has resigned which will result in the triggering of a by-election that will cost taxpayers thousands of pounds," he said. | |
| Reform won 40 of the 66 seats that make up the county council last week. | |
| The party has declined to comment other than to say it will contest the by-election. | The party has declined to comment other than to say it will contest the by-election. |
| Clarke won the seat with 35.9% of the vote and a majority of 153, beating the Conservatives' cabinet member for economic development, Keith Girling. | |
| The Reform UK group on the county council is due to choose a leader from among their ranks on Monday. | |
| Follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. | Follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. |