“Reform UK’s council experiment is in more chaos…
At Staffordshire County Council, the Reform UK administration still has no permanent leader.
Reform say Chris Large stepped down due to a family bereavement, and colleagues offered condolences at the latest full council meeting. But like his predecessor Ian Cooper, Large has also faced allegations over racist social media activity. In his case, a TikTok account bearing his name was accused of making or endorsing racist comments. He denied being personally responsible, condemned the posts, and said multiple people had access to the account.
Before that, Cooper resigned as leader after being expelled by Reform for failing to disclose a social media account. He has faced allegations over racist posts and was reported to have been a “Top Fan” of a white supremacist Facebook group. He now sits as an independent councillor.
Now the council chamber is dominated by rows over racism claims, apologies, absences and protesters outside the building.
This is not stable leadership. It is dysfunction. ⚠️
Allegations around social media accounts. Claims of racist and misogynistic remarks. Senior figures missing from key meetings. Opposition councillors warning residents feel afraid. Protesters chanting “Large out. Mason out. Cooper out.”
And still no permanent leader.
When Conservative councillors are openly saying people fear living in the area because of Reform, that is not Westminster spin. That is a governing crisis playing out in real time at county level.
And let’s be clear. This is how they operate locally. We have seen it first hand. Councillors, their families and supporters pursued with baseless accusations. Individuals targeted online. Manufactured outrage. Division as strategy.
This is not just a Staffordshire story. It is a pattern seen in Kent, Durham, Warwickshire and Nottinghamshire.🧵
If this is how Reform governs one county council, imagine handing them more power”