Summary
A Liberal Democrat councillor has defected to Reform UK in Gloucestershire. Ola Kareem, who is a parish councillor in Northway, has joined Nigel Farage’s political party. Councillor Kareem, who has a background in social care management, stood against Reform UK’s group leader Vernon Smith (Tewkesbury West) during last year’s local elections.
Details
He said his decision stems from a “fundamental divergence” with his former party particularly regarding national immigration policy. Cllr Kareem has also become frustrated with the direction of local and national governance. Want to see more of the stories you love from GloucestershireLive?
Then make us your preferred source on Google. To add GloucestershireLive as a preferred source, simply click here “For too long, local communities like ours have suffered a serious and painful decline under the stewardship of the Labour Party and the Conservatives,” he said. “Mainstream politics has consistently failed to address the practical realities and everyday concerns of hardworking people.
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“I have taken this step because Reform UK offers the honest, pragmatic solutions our country desperately needs. “On key issues such as immigration, we need an honest, sensible conversation and common-sense management rather than ideological sticking plasters.
“Reform’s practical views match what I hear on the ground every single day: people want their communities back, they want sensible public management, and they want real change to reverse years of stagnation.” The Liberal Democrats have been approached for comment.
Report source: Gloucestershire Live
