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 \u201clet down\u201d.<\/p>\n
Matthews\u2019 switch, announced alongside Reform UK leader Nigel Farage at a Westminster press conference on 4 August, makes him the party\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Matthews, who was re-elected as PCC in May 2024 after narrowly defeating Labour\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\nIn a statement, the Leicestershire Conservative group said: \u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Matthews, a former Tory MEP for the East Midlands, told the press conference his defection was driven by frustration with mainstream politics. \u201cBe 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,\u201d he said. He also vowed to root out what he described as the \u201cdark heart of wokeness\u201d in the criminal justice system.<\/p>\n
Farage welcomed Matthews to Reform UK, hailing his defection as a \u201cwatershed moment\u201d. \u201cHe\u2019s twice been elected as a Conservative but today he comes across to us as our first police and crime commissioner. Welcome on board,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The move has sparked a backlash from local MPs. Peter Bedford, Conservative MP for Mid Leicestershire, criticised Matthews for betraying voters\u2019 trust. \u201cIt\u2019s disappointing that the 62,000 Leicestershire and Rutland residents who voted for the Conservative candidate at last year\u2019s PCC election have had their democratic voice overturned in this way. The Reform Party couldn\u2019t even be bothered to field a candidate at that election, so for the police and crime commissioner to defect to Reform beggars belief,\u201d Bedford said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
On his decision to move to Reform, Matthews said: \u201cImportantly for local residents, my position as PCC remains unchanged, as does my commitment to the manifesto on which I was elected.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI am determined to do everything I can to enable the police and the courts to focus on keeping our communities safe.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMy pledge to the public remains firm and solid.\u00a0 The fight against crime across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland continues unabated.\u201d<\/p>\n