{"id":990844,"date":"2026-01-26T13:44:15","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T13:44:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ukpostcode.org\/content\/?p=990844"},"modified":"2026-01-26T13:44:15","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T13:44:15","slug":"conservative-councillor-defects-to-become-first-reform-uk-representative-in-reading","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ukpostcode.org\/content\/conservative-councillor-defects-to-become-first-reform-uk-representative-in-reading\/","title":{"rendered":"Conservative councillor defects to become first Reform UK representative in Reading"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\\<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_73 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/ukpostcode.org\/content\/conservative-councillor-defects-to-become-first-reform-uk-representative-in-reading\/#_Who_defected\" title=\"\u00a0Who defected\">\u00a0Who defected<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/ukpostcode.org\/content\/conservative-councillor-defects-to-become-first-reform-uk-representative-in-reading\/#_When_the_defection_happened\" title=\"\u00a0When the defection happened\">\u00a0When the defection happened<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/ukpostcode.org\/content\/conservative-councillor-defects-to-become-first-reform-uk-representative-in-reading\/#_Broader_context_of_defections\" title=\"\u00a0Broader context of defections\">\u00a0Broader context of defections<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/ukpostcode.org\/content\/conservative-councillor-defects-to-become-first-reform-uk-representative-in-reading\/#_Reaction_and_implications\" title=\"\u00a0Reaction and implications\">\u00a0Reaction and implications<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/ukpostcode.org\/content\/conservative-councillor-defects-to-become-first-reform-uk-representative-in-reading\/#_Case_Study_Clarence_Mitchell_%E2%80%94_First_Reform_UK_Councillor_in_Reading\" title=\"\u00a0Case Study: Clarence Mitchell \u2014 First Reform UK Councillor in Reading\">\u00a0Case Study: Clarence Mitchell \u2014 First Reform UK Councillor in Reading<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/ukpostcode.org\/content\/conservative-councillor-defects-to-become-first-reform-uk-representative-in-reading\/#_Background\" title=\"\u00a0Background\">\u00a0Background<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/ukpostcode.org\/content\/conservative-councillor-defects-to-become-first-reform-uk-representative-in-reading\/#_What_Mitchell_Said_His_Statement\" title=\"\u00a0What Mitchell Said (His Statement)\">\u00a0What Mitchell Said (His Statement)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/ukpostcode.org\/content\/conservative-councillor-defects-to-become-first-reform-uk-representative-in-reading\/#_Reactions_from_Local_Politics\" title=\"\u00a0Reactions from Local Politics\">\u00a0Reactions from Local Politics<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/ukpostcode.org\/content\/conservative-councillor-defects-to-become-first-reform-uk-representative-in-reading\/#_Support_from_the_Defector\" title=\"\u00a0Support from the Defector\">\u00a0Support from the Defector<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/ukpostcode.org\/content\/conservative-councillor-defects-to-become-first-reform-uk-representative-in-reading\/#_Reactions_from_Colleagues\" title=\"\u00a0Reactions from Colleagues\">\u00a0Reactions from Colleagues<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/ukpostcode.org\/content\/conservative-councillor-defects-to-become-first-reform-uk-representative-in-reading\/#_Broader_Context_Defections_to_Reform_UK\" title=\"\u00a0Broader Context: Defections to Reform UK\">\u00a0Broader Context: Defections to Reform UK<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/ukpostcode.org\/content\/conservative-councillor-defects-to-become-first-reform-uk-representative-in-reading\/#_National%E2%80%91Level_Shifts\" title=\"\u00a0National\u2011Level Shifts\">\u00a0National\u2011Level Shifts<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/ukpostcode.org\/content\/conservative-councillor-defects-to-become-first-reform-uk-representative-in-reading\/#_Local_Government_Examples\" title=\"\u00a0Local Government Examples\">\u00a0Local Government Examples<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/ukpostcode.org\/content\/conservative-councillor-defects-to-become-first-reform-uk-representative-in-reading\/#_Why_These_Defections_Matter\" title=\"\u00a0Why These Defections Matter\">\u00a0Why These Defections Matter<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/ukpostcode.org\/content\/conservative-councillor-defects-to-become-first-reform-uk-representative-in-reading\/#_For_Local_Politics_Like_Reading\" title=\"\u00a0For Local Politics (Like Reading)\">\u00a0For Local Politics (Like Reading)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/ukpostcode.org\/content\/conservative-councillor-defects-to-become-first-reform-uk-representative-in-reading\/#_For_National_Politics\" title=\"\u00a0For National Politics\">\u00a0For National Politics<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/ukpostcode.org\/content\/conservative-councillor-defects-to-become-first-reform-uk-representative-in-reading\/#_What_This_Tells_Us\" title=\"\u00a0What This Tells Us\">\u00a0What This Tells Us<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"_Who_defected\"><\/span>\u00a0Who defected<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Clarence Mitchell<\/strong>, a sitting councillor for the <strong>Emmer Green ward<\/strong> on <em>Reading Borough Council<\/em>, has <strong>left the Conservative Party<\/strong> and <strong>joined Reform\u202fUK<\/strong>. This switch makes him the <strong>first Reform UK representative<\/strong> on the council. (<a title=\"Colleagues react as Conservative in Reading defects to become first Reform UK councillor\" href=\"https:\/\/rdg.today\/colleagues-react-as-conservative-in-reading-defects-to-become-first-reform-uk-councillor\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">rdg.today<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"_When_the_defection_happened\"><\/span>\u00a0When the defection happened<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Cllr Mitchell officially joined Reform\u202fUK on <strong>Wednesday, 14 January 2026<\/strong>. (<a title=\"Colleagues react as Conservative in Reading defects to become first Reform UK councillor\" href=\"https:\/\/rdg.today\/colleagues-react-as-conservative-in-reading-defects-to-become-first-reform-uk-councillor\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">rdg.today<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"_Broader_context_of_defections\"><\/span>\u00a0Broader context of defections<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>His move was part of a <strong>larger wave of defections to Reform\u202fUK<\/strong>, with around <strong>20 councillors joining the party that day<\/strong>, including several former Conservatives, some independents, and one Green councillor. (<a title=\"Colleagues react as Conservative in Reading defects to become first Reform UK councillor\" href=\"https:\/\/rdg.today\/colleagues-react-as-conservative-in-reading-defects-to-become-first-reform-uk-councillor\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">rdg.today<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>Nationally, Reform UK has been gaining former Conservative politicians at both local and national levels, including some high\u2011profile figures in recent weeks. (<a title=\"Tory defectors: who has already joined Reform UK and who may follow?\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/2026\/jan\/15\/conservatives-tory-defectors-who-reform-robert-jenrick?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">The Guardian<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"_Reaction_and_implications\"><\/span>\u00a0Reaction and implications<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Local colleagues have publicly reacted to his decision, reflecting wider political tensions as more elected officials consider leaving the Conservative Party for Reform\u202fUK. (<a title=\"Colleagues react as Conservative in Reading defects to become first Reform UK councillor\" href=\"https:\/\/rdg.today\/colleagues-react-as-conservative-in-reading-defects-to-become-first-reform-uk-councillor\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">rdg.today<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>This local defection mirrors broader shifts in UK politics, where Reform UK has been seen as a rising force attracting members from other parties, particularly the Conservatives. (<a title=\"Tory defectors: who has already joined Reform UK and who may follow?\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/2026\/jan\/15\/conservatives-tory-defectors-who-reform-robert-jenrick?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">The Guardian<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Here\u2019s a <strong>case\u2011study\u2011style breakdown<\/strong> of the <strong>Reading Conservative councillor\u2019s defection to Reform UK<\/strong>, plus reactions and broader context from similar defections:<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"_Case_Study_Clarence_Mitchell_%E2%80%94_First_Reform_UK_Councillor_in_Reading\"><\/span>\u00a0Case Study: Clarence Mitchell \u2014 First Reform UK Councillor in Reading<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"_Background\"><\/span>\u00a0Background<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Councillor Clarence Mitchell<\/strong> represented <strong>Emmer\u202fGreen ward<\/strong> on <em>Reading Borough Council<\/em> as a Conservative. (<a title=\"Colleagues react as Conservative in Reading defects to become first Reform UK councillor\" href=\"https:\/\/rdg.today\/colleagues-react-as-conservative-in-reading-defects-to-become-first-reform-uk-councillor\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">rdg.today<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>On <strong>Wednesday 14 January 2026<\/strong>, he <strong>left the Conservative Party and joined Reform\u202fUK<\/strong>, making him the <strong>first Reform UK representative<\/strong> on Reading\u2019s local council. (<a title=\"Colleagues react as Conservative in Reading defects to become first Reform UK councillor\" href=\"https:\/\/rdg.today\/colleagues-react-as-conservative-in-reading-defects-to-become-first-reform-uk-councillor\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">rdg.today<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>His defection wasn\u2019t isolated: he was among <strong>around 20 local councillors<\/strong> who switched to Reform UK that day, including former Conservatives, independents, and one Green councillor \u2014 reflecting a <strong>wave of defections<\/strong> at the local level. (<a title=\"Colleagues react as Conservative in Reading defects to become first Reform UK councillor\" href=\"https:\/\/rdg.today\/colleagues-react-as-conservative-in-reading-defects-to-become-first-reform-uk-councillor\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">rdg.today<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"_What_Mitchell_Said_His_Statement\"><\/span>\u00a0What Mitchell Said (His Statement)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Councillor Mitchell explained his decision publicly, emphasising <strong>values and purpose<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>He said he was <em>\u201cdelighted to be joining Reform UK today as a councillor to restore patriotism and purpose back into Reading.\u201d<\/em> (<a title=\"Colleagues react as Conservative in Reading defects to become first Reform UK councillor\" href=\"https:\/\/rdg.today\/colleagues-react-as-conservative-in-reading-defects-to-become-first-reform-uk-councillor\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">rdg.today<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>He described his 16 years as a Conservative but stated he now believes <strong>Reform UK better represents \u201cauthentic values\u201d<\/strong> important for the country\u2019s future. (<a title=\"Colleagues react as Conservative in Reading defects to become first Reform UK councillor\" href=\"https:\/\/rdg.today\/colleagues-react-as-conservative-in-reading-defects-to-become-first-reform-uk-councillor\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">rdg.today<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"_Reactions_from_Local_Politics\"><\/span>\u00a0Reactions from Local Politics<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"_Support_from_the_Defector\"><\/span>\u00a0Support from the Defector<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Mitchell<\/strong> framed his move as necessary to champion values he felt were no longer represented by the Conservative Party, focusing on <strong>national pride and recovery<\/strong>. (<a title=\"Colleagues react as Conservative in Reading defects to become first Reform UK councillor\" href=\"https:\/\/rdg.today\/colleagues-react-as-conservative-in-reading-defects-to-become-first-reform-uk-councillor\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">rdg.today<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"_Reactions_from_Colleagues\"><\/span>\u00a0Reactions from Colleagues<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Some local colleagues expressed surprise or concern, noting that the defection comes at a time of significant political shifts. (<a title=\"Colleagues react as Conservative in Reading defects to become first Reform UK councillor\" href=\"https:\/\/rdg.today\/colleagues-react-as-conservative-in-reading-defects-to-become-first-reform-uk-councillor\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">rdg.today<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>The reporting emphasises that his departure sparked discussion among councillors about party identity and direction at the local level. (<a title=\"Colleagues react as Conservative in Reading defects to become first Reform UK councillor\" href=\"https:\/\/rdg.today\/colleagues-react-as-conservative-in-reading-defects-to-become-first-reform-uk-councillor\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">rdg.today<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"_Broader_Context_Defections_to_Reform_UK\"><\/span>\u00a0Broader Context: Defections to Reform UK<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Mitchell\u2019s move is part of a <strong>bigger trend<\/strong> of political figures switching to Reform UK:<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"_National%E2%80%91Level_Shifts\"><\/span>\u00a0National\u2011Level Shifts<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Several <strong>former Conservative MPs<\/strong> have defected to Reform UK, including <strong>Robert Jenrick<\/strong> and <strong>Andrew Rosindell<\/strong> earlier in January\u202f2026, and <strong>Suella Braverman<\/strong> most recently, bringing more national attention and parliamentary representation to the party. (<a title=\"Tory defectors: who has already joined Reform UK and who may follow?\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/2026\/jan\/15\/conservatives-tory-defectors-who-reform-robert-jenrick?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">The Guardian<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"_Local_Government_Examples\"><\/span>\u00a0Local Government Examples<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Across the UK, multiple councillors have switched from the <strong>Conservatives to Reform UK<\/strong>, providing the party with new representation on local councils in places like Swansea and Glasgow before 2026. (<a title=\"Welsh Conservative councillor defects to Reform\" href=\"https:\/\/nation.cymru\/news\/welsh-conservative-councillor-defects-to-reform\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Nation.Cymru<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>In some cases, councillors from other parties (e.g., Labour or Green) have also defected, showing that this isn\u2019t just a Conservative phenomenon. (<a title=\"St Helens Green councillor defects to Reform UK\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/\/r\/NotTheOnionUK\/comments\/1qcx20m\/st_helens_green_councillor_defects_to_reform_uk\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Reddit<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"_Why_These_Defections_Matter\"><\/span>\u00a0Why These Defections Matter<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"_For_Local_Politics_Like_Reading\"><\/span>\u00a0For Local Politics (Like Reading)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Gaining a first representative in a council can give Reform UK <strong>greater visibility<\/strong> and influence in local debates.<\/li>\n<li>It may shift how local public services, planning, and community priorities are discussed among councillors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"_For_National_Politics\"><\/span>\u00a0For National Politics<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>A stream of defections \u2014 both local and national \u2014 can signal <strong>dissatisfaction with existing parties<\/strong> and fuel debate about the role of Reform UK in future elections.<\/li>\n<li>Recent high\u2011profile national defections have brought attention to the party\u2019s stance on immigration, public services, national identity, and governance. (<a title=\"Suella Braverman defects to Reform UK\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thetimes.com\/uk\/politics\/article\/suella-braverman-defects-reform-uk-dfwd6k0r9?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">The Times<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"_What_This_Tells_Us\"><\/span>\u00a0What This Tells Us<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Key takeaways from Mitchell\u2019s defection and similar cases:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Local councillors may shift allegiance when they feel their old party no longer reflects their <strong>values or priorities<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Reform UK is attracting defectors at multiple levels \u2014 from local councils to Westminster \u2014 which can reshape political dynamics ahead of upcoming elections. (<a title=\"Tory defectors: who has already joined Reform UK and who may follow?\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/2026\/jan\/15\/conservatives-tory-defectors-who-reform-robert-jenrick?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">The Guardian<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>Reactions range from supportive to critical, and these defections often spark debate about representation, voter loyalty, and accountability to constituents.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\\ \u00a0Who defected Clarence Mitchell, a sitting councillor for the Emmer Green ward on Reading Borough Council, has left the Conservative Party and joined Reform\u202fUK&#8230;.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10,6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-990844","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-gb-news","category-uk-news"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Conservative councillor defects to become first Reform UK representative in Reading - UK News &amp; 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