Trio become Solihull Council’s first Reform UK members

SOLIHULL has its first Reform UK councillors after three Conservative rebels joined the party.

Councillors Michael Gough, for Silhill, Samantha Gethen, for St Alphege, and Alan Feeney for Castle Bromwich will now sit as a newly established Reform Group on Solihull Council.

The trio left the ruling Conservative group at Solihull Council and sat as Independents earlier this year.

But they appeared at Reform UK’s Party Conference at the NEC over the weekend where it was revealed they would sit as party Councillors.

Coun Gough will serve as leader of the Reform Group in Solihull.

Coun Gough said: “It has been an honour to represent Silhill and serve the people of Solihull, but I have seen firsthand the real challenges our communities face: rising costs, strained services, and a growing disconnect between residents and those in power.

“Reform offers the solutions to restore trust, prioritise the needs of hardworking Britons, and champion our shared values.”

Coun Samantha Gethen said: “Representing St Alphege is a privilege, and my priority has always been to stand up for residents. I left the Conservatives earlier this year because I could no longer support a party that puts political games ahead of people.

“Reform UK is different. It’s about honesty, accountability, and action and that’s exactly what Solihull needs.

“From supporting families and schools to fixing our broken services and ensuring safer streets, I will keep fighting for St Alphege, now with Reform’s national vision and energy behind me.”

Coun Feeney said: “The direction Solihull has been led in recent years — rising taxes, declining services, and reckless overdevelopment — has left residents in Castle Bromwich feeling abandoned. I have listened carefully, and so many people have told me they want me to join Reform.

“Reform is the only party serious about tackling the deep shortcomings in our public services and restoring pride in our communities. Solihull deserves far better leadership than it has today.”

With three sitting councillors now representing Reform UK, the party becomes a new opposition group on Solihull Council.

The Solihull Reform group has pledged to expose and cut council waste, campaign for safer communities and stronger policing, stand up for families and protect Solihull’s local character and ensure residents’ voices are heard at every level of government.