EXCLUSIVE: Reform has lashed out at defectors after a rival party celebrated new recruits.
Nigel Farage’s party has seen six former members depart (Image: Getty)
Reform UK has suggested a rival party is “trying to resurrect the dead” after it celebrated the defection of six former representatives from Nigel Farage’s outfit. The former members have allied themselves with Advance UK, which led by businessman Ben Habib. He was deputy leader of Reform from October 2023 until July 2024, when he fell out with Mr Farage and was replaced by Richard Tice.
Now, Mr Habib’s party has claimed a victory in Derbyshire. It said: “Advance UK is pleased to announce that six former representatives of Reform UK, who resigned from that party last year, have joined the party and will sit as Advance UK councillors.”
Reform leader of Derbyshire County Council, Alan Graves, told The Express: “This is old news, these defections occurred before the last council elections in May 2025 and only two of them were former county councillors, the rest were town councillors or parish councillors.
“It is clear that Alex or Advance UK are trying to ‘big up’ their relevance when actually Reform UK are streets ahead and actually winning elections.
“I don’t know who is running Advance’s press office but it is pathetic to try and resurrect the dead at this stage. I used to have a lot of time for Alex, but this is silly.”
Advance UK said: “They bring with them also the support of their extensive local grassroots network in Derbyshire.”
It added: “The party is committed to the nation state of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, upholding the UK’s Christian constitution, protecting freedom, restoring democracy, and ensuring equality under the law.
“This group joining the party, which represents a significant section of local goverment in Heanor and Loscoe and had been at the heart of Reform UK’s previous success in Amber Valley, said their decision was driven by a determination to continue building a credible, democratic alternative to the established parties.”
Alan Graves is Reform’s leader of Derbyshire County Council (Image: Jon Cooper)
The defectors are Alex Stevenson, a town and parish councillor; Phillip Rose, a borough and parish councillor; Alan Abernethy, a town councillor, parish councillor and mayor of Heanor and Loscoe; Malc Hibbard, a town and parish councillor; Laura Brunelleschi, a town councillor; and Mark Burrell, another town councillor.
Advance UK also confirmed that Alex Stevenson will be standing for the party in the by elections for Derbyshire County Council and Amber Valley Borough Council on January 20.
Mr Habib said: “I have known Alex Stevenson and his team for well over a year. We campaigned together when I was deputy leader of Reform. I am delighted to have them on board at Advance. We are rapidly establishing the party. With their assistance we will be well placed to campaign in Derbyshire.”
The January 20 votes will be the first elections in which Advance UK has fielded candidates,” Mr Habib added.
“I wish him all the best of luck in those elections. I know, if elected, he will represent his constituents better than anyone.”
