Stratford district Councillor Sarah Walley-Hoggins has joined Reform UK, saying "only Nigel Farage's party have the answers to the biggest problems facing the country".

Conservative Cllr Walley-Hoggins has represented the Brailes and Compton Ward on Stratford-on-Avon District Council since 2019, and was the leader of the Tory opposition group on the local authority.

The former police officer's defection has been driven by "increasing levels of alarm" at the state of both local and national government and is joining Reform UK in order to "address the incompetence, dishonesty and failures of government" at both a local and national level.

Cllr Walley-Hoggins said: "I went into local politics to make a difference to the lives of those that I represent.

"Reform UK is the only political party that is striving to make any difference to the lives of the many rather than the lives of too few."

A Reform spokesperson said: "We're delighted Sarah has joined us. We welcome anyone who shares our vision for integrity, accountability, and meaningful change to join us."