A Reform UK councillor from East Riding Council has quit the party just weeks after hosting the party’s Connexin Live rally.
Cllr Maria Bowtell, who represents the Bridlington Central and Old Town ward, has announced her decision to resign from her position as Interim Branch Chairman for Bridlington and the Wolds Reform UK as well as announcing she will continue her work as an Independent Councillor.
The announcement was made on a social media post addressed to the party’s leader, Nigel Farage. Cllr Bowtell joined Reform UK in March 2024 after defecting from the Conservatives. In her letter to Mr Farage she said:
“I have poured my heart and soul into the party, working tirelessly to support its growth and vision. However, I have increasingly felt unsupported and abandoned in my role.
“I have been asked to deliver speeches with little notice and no preparation, while my attempts to seek clarity and support from senior party members have been dismissed or ignored.”
Cllr Bowtell opened the party’s recent event hosted at Hull’s Connexin Live where former Olympic Boxer Luke Campbell was named as Reform’s candidate for the upcoming Hull and East Yorkshire Mayoral election. At the event she described Reform UK as being “noisy, funny, patriotic, British people who care.”
After the event Cllr Bowtell hosted a press conference where local and national media got the first chance to speak to Mr Campbell. It was understood that Mr Farage would also be attending the conference however it soon became apparent this would not be the case. In her letter to Mr Farage Cllr Bowtell told the party leader that
“leaving the venue before even supporting our candidate in the press conference felt like a reflection of how little care was given to this area.”
Cllr Bowtell also suggested the party’s leadership had a “lack of integrity and resolve” and a “chaotic lack of foresight.”
In her letter Cllr Bowtell also cited the wider ‘civil war’ that has been rumbling within the party in recent weeks. One of the five Reform MPs who entered the Commons after the 2024 General Election was suspended from the party this month after allegations of “workplace bullying and targeting of female staff” were raised, according to a Reform UK statement.
Rupert Lowe, the MP in question, has insisted any investigations into him are “based on zero credible evidence” and in a letter to Mr Farage Mr Lowe said: “I once considered you a friend. I no longer do.” Cllr Bowtell said the treatment of Rupert Lowe “crystallised” her concerns “and proved to be the final straw.”
Despite having left the party Cllr Bowtell has said she will continue to support the party “albeit out of necessity rather than enthusiasm.” She also wished Mr Campbell luck in his Mayoral campaign, describing the Olympic Gold Medalist as “a decent individual.”
East Riding Council now consists of just one Reform UK councillor, Cllr Jon Dimberline of the South East Holderness ward.
A Reform UK spokesperson told the LDRS that the party has nothing to say on Cllr Bowtell’s resignation or her comments in the social media post.
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