The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Leicestershire and Rutland, Rupert Matthews, has defected from the Conservative Party to Reform UK, prompting demands for a by-election from local Tories who say voters have been “let down”.
Matthews’ switch, announced alongside Reform UK leader Nigel Farage at a Westminster press conference on 4 August, makes him the party’s first-ever PCC. The defection is a significant coup for Reform, who took control of Leicestershire County Council earlier this year, and will bolster their profile ahead of a likely general election.
Matthews, who was re-elected as PCC in May 2024 after narrowly defeating Labour’s Rory Palmer, insisted his commitment to the policing mandate on which he was elected remains unchanged. However, his former Conservative colleagues are calling for him to resign and contest a by-election under his new political banner.
In a statement, the Leicestershire Conservative group said: “The thousands of members and residents across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland who elected Rupert Matthews as a Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner will feel let down by his decision to defect to Reform UK. It is democratically correct that if Rupert wants to continue under different political colours, he should seek the permission of the electorate.”
Matthews, a former Tory MEP for the East Midlands, told the press conference his defection was driven by frustration with mainstream politics. “Be they Conservative or Labour governments, everyone knows our politicians have failed us all. They have let this country down, they have let the British people down. Enough. Now is the time for Reform,” he said. He also vowed to root out what he described as the “dark heart of wokeness” in the criminal justice system.
Farage welcomed Matthews to Reform UK, hailing his defection as a “watershed moment”. “He’s twice been elected as a Conservative but today he comes across to us as our first police and crime commissioner. Welcome on board,” he said.
The move has sparked a backlash from local MPs. Peter Bedford, Conservative MP for Mid Leicestershire, criticised Matthews for betraying voters’ trust. “It’s disappointing that the 62,000 Leicestershire and Rutland residents who voted for the Conservative candidate at last year’s PCC election have had their democratic voice overturned in this way. The Reform Party couldn’t even be bothered to field a candidate at that election, so for the police and crime commissioner to defect to Reform beggars belief,” Bedford said.
Despite mounting pressure, Matthews has indicated he has no intention of stepping down. He remains in post, now flying the flag for Reform UK, as the debate over his political legitimacy continues.
On his decision to move to Reform, Matthews said: “Importantly for local residents, my position as PCC remains unchanged, as does my commitment to the manifesto on which I was elected.
“I am determined to do everything I can to enable the police and the courts to focus on keeping our communities safe.
“My pledge to the public remains firm and solid. The fight against crime across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland continues unabated.”
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