WARRINGTON’S only Reform Councillor John Roddy has defected to the Conservative Group as Warrington Borough Council faces a financial crisis.
Cllr. Roddy, elected to represent Bewsey & Whitecross, has resigned from Reform UK and joined the Conservative Group on Warrington Borough Council, citing concerns about the town’s worsening financial position and a lack of serious engagement from his former party.
He says Warrington requires strong, credible opposition and a detailed recovery plan following years of financial mismanagement by the Labour administration, supported by the Liberal Democrats.
He raised concerns with Reform UK regarding the scale of the council’s borrowing, the town’s exposure to financial risk, and the implications of the proposed Cheshire & Warrington devolution arrangements. However, he says those concerns were dismissed as “not a priority”, with repeated attempts to seek engagement from Reform UK headquarters going unanswered.
Cllr Roddy will now sit as a Conservative councillor and continue campaigning on key local priorities including tackling the rise in HMOs, resolving parking pressures in residential areas, improving community safety, supporting plans for a proper Urgent Treatment Centre to ease pressure on A&E at Warrington Hospital, and strengthening flood-defence planning.
Commenting on his decision, Cllr. Roddy said: “I have resigned from Reform UK. I remain grateful to everyone who supported me as a Reform candidate, and I will continue to represent all residents of Bewsey & Whitecross regardless of how they voted.
“Warrington faces serious financial challenges following decisions taken by the Labour administration, supported by the Liberal Democrats. Our town needs strong, focused opposition and a clear recovery plan.
When I raised detailed concerns with Reform UK about the council’s finances and the proposed Cheshire & Warrington devolution plans, I was told they were ‘not a priority’, and emails to Reform UK headquarters went unanswered.
“There has been no serious engagement with the scale of Warrington’s financial position or a credible local strategy to address it. That lack of focus on our town’s most pressing issues is deeply disappointing.
Reform lacks a credible team structure. They have headlines but no detailed local policy and no serious local economic plan. Warrington needs experienced councillors prepared to do the detailed work, not slogans. Residents in Bewsey & Whitecross know that I work hard for them, and that will not change.
“For these reasons, I have decided to join the Conservative Party in Warrington.
“My decision is about action and accountability. Warrington deserves nothing less.”
Commenting, Cllr Rob Tynan, Leader of the Warrington Conservatives, said:“I am delighted to welcome John to the Conservative Group. He has shown integrity and seriousness in recognising the scale of Warrington’s financial challenges and the need for credible alternative opposition to the Liberal Democrats.
“Labour have left our town exposed after years of risky borrowing and poor decisions, and residents are now facing the consequences through rising council tax and cuts to services.
Reform have shown that they lack the depth, discipline and local focus required to hold administrations to account. They are effectively a one-man band with headlines but no detailed policy, no serious economic plan and no record of delivery.
“Nationally, their sums simply do not add up. They talk tough on spending but offer unfunded commitments that would mean more borrowing or higher taxes. Locally, where Reform councils exist, they have supported above-inflation council tax rises while voting one way in Parliament and behaving another way in office. That is not the consistency or seriousness Warrington needs.
“Holding a complex local authority like Warrington Borough Council to account requires detailed financial scrutiny, sustained policy work and a disciplined team. That is what both John and I will provide.
“John understands that Warrington needs robust challenge and a credible recovery plan, not protest politics. We will continue to fight for residents, demand transparency from the Labour administration who have been backed by the Lib Dems at every turn. Warrington deserves better than Labour’s failure.”
