A councillor who quit Reform UK after defecting from the Conservatives has claimed Nigel Farage’s party is “not what I signed up for”.
Speaking to GB News, Robbie Lammas said he initially joined Reform because he believed it would become an “alternative” to the Tory party but now considers the move the “worst mistake of my life”.
He said: “I was told that Reform is an alternative Conservative Party and they wanted to professionalise and bring people with experience.
“My reality of being inside Reform is that it’s not the case at all. They’re not conservative and unfortunately, they’re not very professional either.”
The Kent councillor pointed to what he described as organisational shortcomings within the party, including concerns over the vetting of local candidates.
“Disorganisation. Lack of proper vetting of their local candidates. Not proper checking in terms of people’s opinions,” he said.
Cllr Lammas also alleged he had experienced racism while a member of Reform.
“I encountered episodes locally of racism, including against myself,” he claimed, adding: “Apparently, I’m less than because I’m a quarter Dutch now.”
Responding to the allegations, a Reform UK spokesman rejected Cllr Lammas’s claims.
“We do not recognise these allegations put to us by Cllr Lammas,” the spokesman said.
“This is an individual who realised he had no future in Reform UK after being rejected from a number of jobs within our headquarters and issued with a formal warning for his conduct.”
Addressing Reform’s response, Cllr Lammas said: “I was actually offered a job but turned it down, which I think in hindsight was probably a good thing.
“Ever since then, I’ve stayed in the party for months and months and months, trying to make the best of it, trying to improve things and organise things locally on the ground.”
Despite his criticisms, the councillor stressed there were “good and bad in all parties” and praised some former Reform colleagues.
Among his regrets was failing to anticipate the political changes within the Conservative Party.
Cllr Lammas now credits Kemi Badenoch with moving the Tories into the political space he once believed Reform occupied.
“I am a Conservative. I have always had Conservative beliefs,” Cllr Lammas said.
“I falsely believed that the Tory Party would never actually change.
“It’s a huge ask to change an institution like that after the worst defeat in its history.
“To Kemi’s credit, she’s actually gone and done it.”
The councillor also praised Mrs Badenoch for shifting Conservative policy on issues including the European Convention on Human Rights.
“She’s filled that vacuum that was left when she first took over. So she’s actually doing brilliantly,” he said.
