Reform UK councillor breaches party rules by leading another political party
A Reform UK councillor has breached party rules by also being the leader of his own political party, reports BritPanorama.
The Electoral Commission identifies Paul Taylor, elected councillor in May, as the leader of the Northern Heart party, which fielded candidates in recent local elections. However, Reform UK’s rules explicitly state that membership is barred for those involved with other GB-registered political parties.
The party confirmed that Mr. Taylor’s dual membership was a mistake and stated he is now resigning from Northern Heart. Taylor contended that Reform UK was aware of his status.
Northern Heart, established in 2020, claims to offer an alternative to the “main political offerings,” aiming to support those seeking to reclaim their local communities. It positions itself as a party of traditional values promoting free speech, local economic development, and community safety.
The Waterhead ward representative declared his party leadership upon his May election, having previously run for Northern Heart in four local elections since its founding, albeit achieving limited success. In the most recent election in 2024, he received just 93 votes. He had also stood for UKIP in 2019.
Mr. Taylor secured a spot in this year’s council after obtaining 1,459 votes as a Reform candidate. He stated his decision to run as a Reform councillor stemmed from disillusionment with the independent movement in Oldham, which he claims has “decimated” local representation.
While unsure about future candidacy for Northern Heart, he expressed hope that he could aid Oldham’s revitalization under the Reform banner, assisted by a strong team of councillors.
A spokesperson for Reform UK stated, “Cllr Taylor is in the process of resigning from Northern Heart. His membership was an oversight on his part.”
Paul Taylor’s wife, Anne, who serves as Northern Heart’s treasurer, also contested the same local election but did not succeed. She has run for the party five times.
The Northern Heart website links to Paul Taylor’s social media, which features content supporting both Reform UK and his own party. The party brands itself a “free speech zone,” advocating for those who wish to express themselves without fear of societal backlash.
In his assessment of local party dynamics, Mr. Taylor noted the minimal differences between local political parties, feeling a shift towards a more structured national party was a pragmatic move, signalling his intention to remain focused on local governance rather than pursuing parliamentary ambitions.
