Overview
- Reform UK said Monday that Stuart Prior resigned for personal reasons and that the party revoked his membership.
- Prior had just won Rayleigh West on Essex County Council and Sweyne Park and Grange on Rochford District Council with about 40% of the vote in each race.
- His exit followed claims by campaign group Hope Not Hate that he posted racist remarks online, which he denied when questioned by the Daily Mirror.
- Essex County Council and Rochford District Council confirmed the vacancies and said officers will coordinate by-elections and share details with residents.
- Reform UK recently took control of Essex County Council with 53 of 78 seats, so the vacancies do not change who runs the authority.