'It’s an honour and a privilege' - Reform chooses new leader of Staffordshire County Council
Reform UK Staffordshire councillors have named their new leader after taking control of the county council in the local elections.
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The new ward representatives have selected Ian Cooper as group leader following a meeting.
Councillor Cooper has lived in Tamworth for 28 years with his wife and has two adult children. He represents the borough's Perrycrofts ward.
Despite retiring in 2024, he continues to be an active member of the local business collaboration group Advantage Network Tamworth.
The new leader will be running the group with the help of Cannock Chase councillor Martin Murray who was chosen as deputy leader.
Reform UK won 49 out of 62 seats at Staffordshire County Council in the recent local election, securing an overall majority and entering into administration on the authority for the first time.
Nationally, the party secured 677 seats with 31 per cent of the vote share - the first time a party other than the Conservatives or Labour have won these elections in modern British political history.
Councillor Cooper said: “It’s an honour and a privilege to have been elected leader of the Reform UK group on Staffordshire County Council.
“What we have achieved here is incredible. From a standing start we now have full control of Staffordshire County Council. The people of Staffordshire have given us a clear mandate for serious change and we fully intend to deliver that.”
