Joe Quinn, Councillor for Ferryhill, and Cathy Hunt who represents the Woodhouse Close ward in Bishop Auckland announced their defections during a Reform rally in Houghton-le-Spring this afternoon.
It takes Reform UK’s tally of members on the council up to three.
Nigel Farage said: “We started today’s conference with just one County Councillor in Durham but we have finished it with three! I warmly welcome Joe and Cathy to Reform UK. This is just the beginning for our party in the North East.”
Speaking on stage Joe Quinn said: “Today is the day I officially defect from the Conservative party.
“I did struggle with whether to change parties or not – that’s not because I didn’t believe in Reform, it’s simply because I always thought changing colours or changing party is a sign of weakness. However, on reflection changing sides is a sign of strength.”
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Cllr Hunt had resigned as a Conservative member to sit as an independent last week, after the party had already chosen two candidates to stand in the reshaped Bishop Auckland ward which absorbs her current Woodhouse Close ward amid boundary changes.
Robert Potts, Councillor for Evenwood near Bishop Auckland, became the first Reform UK member on Durham County Council when he defected in December.
Cllr Potts had stood as the Conservative candidate for Police and Crime Commissioner last May, coming second to Labour’s Joy Allen.
