> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Conservative leader says Reform have overseen year of “chaos and toxic behaviour” at Staffordshire County Council - URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/conservative-leader-says-reform-have-overseen-year-of-chaos-and-toxic-behaviour-at-staffordshire-county-council/ - Published: 2026-05-01T06:02:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-05-01T13:43:08.000Z - Author: Lichfield Live - Tags: Politics, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 18:11, News A CONSERVATIVE councillor has branded Reform UK’s first 12 months in charge of Staffordshire County Council as “a wasted year of chaos and toxic behaviour”. Cllr Philip White’s comments come as the first anniversary of the new controlling group being elected is marked. The party swept to power to oust the Conservatives who had previously run the authority. But Cllr White, leader of the now opposition Tory group, said Reform UK had failed to deliver on election promises to eliminate waste and cut taxes. He said a council tax increase of 3.99% and savings figures below those that had been proposed by the Conservatives when they were in power, demonstrated that the new leadership had been unable to deliver their election pledges. Cllr White said: > “Last year Reform promised huge change if they were elected to run Staffordshire County Council, but people can now see the reality that they have kept none of their promises. > > “The waste they claimed existed never did and they have broken their pledge to cut council tax by putting it up by 3.99%. > > “Reform have changed almost nothing significant from the plans we left them other than deciding to pause new pothole repairs last summer – a move which has left the roads in a terrible state.” The last 12 months have seen three different leaders of the council after the first Reform UK post-holder Cllr Ian Cooper resigned in December 2025 in a row over social media accounts, while his successor Cllr Chris Large – who was also under investigation for social media posts – quit a week after being elected as the new leader and before he could formally take office. Cllr White said current incumbent Cllr Martin Murray needed to “get a grip” of his party to tackle ongoing scandals which have also seen cabinet member Cllr Peter Mason apologise for his “choice of words” when posting online about police and black women. The Conservatives say the number of complaints made about county councillors has risen from an average of 14 per year between 2021 and 2025 to 149 form May 2025 to January 2026 – with 134 of those against Reform UK representatives. Cllr White said: > “What we have seen is a big change for the worse in our local politics with multiple cases of Reform councillors – including their first council leader – being revealed to have deeply unpleasant views, including one who continues to serve in the council cabinet. > > “There has been a revolving door of council leaders, complaints against councillors have increased by 1,000% and staff morale is the worst it has ever been. > > “I don’t blame the electorate at all for giving Reform a try when they promised so much, but we can now see that all they have delivered is a wasted year of chaos, broken promises and toxic behaviour. > > “Their latest leader needs to get a grip and start delivering the people of Staffordshire or he and his group should accept they are not up to the job and step down.” But Cllr Murray said the evidence of his party’s actions were clear to see. He explained: > “Within just one year of taking control of Staffordshire County Council, our Reform UK administration has begun delivering the change residents voted for, ending rubber stamp politics and we have focused relentlessly on value for money, frontline services and protecting what matters most to Staffordshire. > > “Our top priority was clear from day one – to make the most out of every penny of taxpayers’ money. > > “In our first year, we have delivered £21million in efficiencies through working smarter. We have actively reviewed spending and challenging waste, we have saved taxpayers millions while protecting all vital frontline services. > > “That change in culture matters. Under the previous Tory administration, the status quo went unchallenged. Reform councillors have real life experience from industry and frontline expertise. > > “We have grabbed the system by the scruff of the neck, owning strategy, scrutinising the way things are done, reviewing spending line by line, and taking responsibility for outcomes. > > “We have stopped tens of thousands being spent on overly expensive bespoke library furniture with no strategy while footfall fell. We have replaced this with a new libraries approach focused on shared spaces, accessibility, and value for residents. > > “The governance of the Community Fund has also been tightened, ending the practice of funding organisations linked to sitting Tory councillors without clear evidence, restoring transparency and public trust. > > “We have capped the rise in council tax to 3.99%, lower than the repeated maximum increases imposed by the Conservatives year after year, ensuring Staffordshire now has the third lowest county council tax rise in the UK. We are protecting taxpayers’ pockets, while delivering higher services. > > “The Conservative opposition’s anger is understandable as voters rejected them. Calls for Reform to step aside are not criticism – they are an insult to the electorate, in a poor attempt to remain relevant.”