Top Tory 'shocked' as FOURTH Stoke-on-Trent Conservative councillor joins Reform UKCarl Edwards is the latest to jump shipView Image Councillor Carl Edwards at Tunstall Park (Image: Steve Bould)Another Conservative councillor in Stoke-on-Trent has defected to Reform UK. Carl Edwards, who represents Baddeley, Milton and Norton, has become Reform's fifth elected member on Stoke-on-Trent City Council. ‌All but one of the five Reform city councillors was elected as a Tory, and the Reform group is led by former Conservative group leader Dan Jellyman. ‌"Today I am proud to be joining Reform UK as I believe it is the only party serious about fixing the problems facing our country. A Reform UK spokesperson said: "We are delighted to welcome Carl to Reform UK.

Source: Daily Mirror February 25, 2026 10:50 UTC