Councillor who defected from Reform told to resign

"Labour said Kathy Gibbon should stand down after she left Reform UK and joined the Tories on Buckinghamshire Council. Gibbon, who represents the Kingsbrook, Bierton and Wing ward, was elected for Reform last year, but announced her defection this week claiming the move would "allow me to work more effectively as part of a strong, experienced team". Reform UK councillor Cameron Anderson said voters would "now feel a great sense of dissatisfaction and injustice", while Labour called for a by-election."

"Labour's Eris Robertson said the move was "just a slap in the face of voters". "We are calling for a by-election in councillor Gibbon's ward so voters can decide whether they wish for her to continue to represent them under a new party," said Robertson, who is chairman of Aylesbury Labour Party, but not a councillor. He added that if Gibbon "believes her decision reflects the views of local people, the appropriate and honourable course of action is to stand down and seek a fresh mandate"."

Kathy Gibbon defected from Reform UK to the Conservative group on Buckinghamshire Council, changing the balance of power and giving the Conservatives overall control. Gibbon represents the Kingsbrook, Bierton and Wing ward and said the switch would allow her to work more effectively as part of a strong, experienced team. Reform UK and Labour members criticised the move, with calls for Gibbon to resign and trigger a by-election so voters can decide. The Conservatives had lost many seats in the previous election and lacked an overall majority before the defection; the Conservative leader said Gibbon supports the council's positive agenda.

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