Reform Hails ‘Staggering’ Election Results In Crawley

Reform UK has described its performance in last week’s local elections in Crawley as “staggering” after securing 18 council seats across the borough and county councils.

Among those elected was Tim Charters, who won seats on both Crawley Borough Council and West Sussex County Council representing Southgate and Southgate & Gossops Green.

Mr Charters said the results were “unprecedented” and reflected what he described as the public’s desire for change in the town.

Reform secured 13 borough council seats across 12 wards, alongside nine county council seats contested in the area.

Speaking after the election, Mr Charters said voters had responded to the party’s focus on issues including fly-tipping, road conditions, parking, anti-social behaviour and crime.

He also claimed residents had concerns about illegal immigration and said Reform had listened to issues that other parties had failed to address.

The party’s success will see a large number of first-time councillors entering local government in Crawley and Chichester, although Reform has also received support from former Conservative figures including former Crawley MP Henry Smith and former borough councillor Francis Guidera.

Mr Charters said Reform’s role as the main opposition to Labour on Crawley Borough Council would involve scrutinising council decisions and pushing what he described as “common sense and fiscal responsibility”.

The first full meetings of both councils are due to take place on 22 May, with newly elected councillors currently undergoing training and inductions.