THE former leader of Staffordshire County Council has broken his silence after being ousted by Reform UK.
Cllr Ian Cooper was replaced in the hotseat last month after posts made on social media accounts linked to him came to light.
In a video posted on social media, the now independent councillor said his political journey with Reform UK “has ended” – and added that he was disappointed to have been “found guilty without trial”.
Cllr Cooper said:
“Of course, public life comes with scrutiny and criticism. Throughout my time in Reform UK, I faced sustained attacks from opponents, something every politician must expect. It is challenging particularly when much of it is based on lies and misinformation.
“I am deeply grateful to my local branch members, colleagues and supporters from outside the party and beyond who stood by me and defended my integrity. Despite constant scrutiny throughout my journey, I have never said or written anything that I was not fully prepared to defend publicly.
“During this period I have remained professional, followed the advice given to me, and more importantly refrained from making public comments. Meanwhile, the vitriol from left-wing activists and political opponents seeking power for personal gain is to be expected along with a declining legacy media eager to repeat untrue narratives in order to stay relevant.
“Given these circumstances, I was disappointed that senior members of Reform UK did not support me during this time, particularly because remarks like ‘it doesn’t look good’ seemed to prejudice any possible investigation or proceedings. Comments like that seriously harm the fairness and legality of any HR hearing or internal process.
“In effect, I was guilty without trial, which is an almost impossible position to row back on no matter what.”
Despite leaving Reform UK, Cllr Cooper said he was proud of his achievements with them.
He said:
“I joined Reform UK at the very beginning of its conception – I still remember attending the early conference in Derby when only a few hundred delegates filled the room. The energy, the belief and the sense of purpose was enormous.
“From that moment it has been a tremendous experience and along that journey I have met and made lifelong friends.
“I had the privilege of being selected and elected by my newly-elected colleagues to become the first ever Reform UK leader of Staffordshire County Council. It was a role I took on with pride, determination and a deep sense of responsibility.
“During six months as leader – and with a resolute team bedside me – we achieved real and measurable progress. We began rolling back years of waste and inefficiency that had accumulated under the previous administrations. The benefit of that work is now being felt by residents of Staffordshire.
“I am proud of what we have delivered together.”
Cllr Cooper also warned Reform UK’s leadership that they could leave voters disappointed if they fail to follow their principles in the coming months and years.
He explained:
“Reform UK has risen in the polls because many people across the UK desperately want change and they want a new kind of politics. They wanted political party that represents people who are real, honest, sincere and genuine.
“They currently look to Reform UK for hope, but will be quickly disappointed if they too morph into something the electorate has consistently rejected.
“If we want good people to step forward instead of faceless, professional politicians, we must support and protect those people, otherwise we risk returning to a politics dominated by career politicians more focused on themselves than the ordinary people they are meant to serve.
“I will continue to serve as an independent councillor working for the people who elected me. I have no intention of taking a back seat in UK politics until our great country is secure.”
