Redditch Mum and son councillors suspended by Reform UK

COUNCILLOR Ashley Monk has been suspended from Reform UK, just days after being elected to Redditch Borough.

Coun Monk, who sits on Batchley and Brockhill, claimed he withdrew his membership after being informed he was suspended from the party following criticism of new county council leader Coun Alan Amos.

He has been suspended alongside his mum, Coun Jo Monk who was the former Worcestershire County Council leader, before being replaced by Coun Amos.

Coun Ashley Monk is also on the county, representing Redditch West.

In a statement on social media he apologised to the resents who had ‘only just’ put their trust in him.

He said: “I know many people voted for me under the Reform banner, and I do not take that lightly. I wanted to stay with Reform. I was fighting for Reform’s values.

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“My political views and values still align with Reform despite this latest move. These will not change. I believe in Brexit, I believe in stopping the boats, and I believe in saving our country, our county and our town.

“The reason I stood for office, and the reason I was elected, was to speak out whenever I saw bad things happening. I tried to do that within Reform, but instead of engaging with me I felt undermined and pushed out by Coun Alan Amos.”

“If criticising the conduct, views, or leadership of a senior figure leads to suspension, then that says far more about the party than it does about me.”

He will now be sitting as an independent councillor.

This means the makeup of Redditch Borough Council to 13 Labour, seven Reform, four Conservatives and three independent.