Former Conservative leader in Rochdale joins Reform

Thursday, 24 July 2025 10:29

By George Lythgoe, Local Democracy Reporter

Rochdale councillors John Taylor (left) and Jordan Tarrant-Short, who represent Reform UK

Reform UK now has its third Greater Manchester politician after the former Conservative leader in Rochdale joined their ranks.

Coun John Taylor has been sitting as an independent councillor since leaving the Tories last summer following a fallout with the group. This week he officially joined Reform, citing his decision to defect as ‘great disappointment with the establishment parties’.

The ward member for Wardle Shore and West Littleborough is now the third elected Reform councillor in Greater Manchester.

He joins fellow Rochdale councillor Coun Jordan Tarrant Short and Tameside’s Coun Allan Hopwood in the party led by Nigel Farage.

Coun John Taylor said: “I am delighted to have joined Reform UK. It has been a move I considered very carefully over several months and it has been far from a snap decision.

“Having said that, I am convinced that I have made the right decision both personally and for the good of our borough.

“Our borough deserves more from its elected members. Through Reform we have that opportunity and I will do everything possible to turn it into reality in both the next and subsequent local elections.

“We often hear people talking about ‘broken Britain’ and the same can be said of Rochdale. Only with Reform can we fix it.

“Labour shows no self-awareness when it comes to spending public money—throwing it at reckless net zero schemes, and always ignoring the taxpayer footing the bill. It’s time our residents got what they pay for: a government that works for them, not against them.

“A government that puts their interests first. That is what Reform will deliver.”

The trend of defections to Reform UK is one the party believes will continue to grow, which it says underscores the urgent need for real change in our political system, both locally and nationally.

Coun Taylor had been Conservative group leader for two years before being replaced by Coun Stephen Anstee in May 2024. He explained his reason for leaving was not because of the loss of position in the group, but the internal disputes in the lead up to the change and the aftermath.

The councillor previously served in the police for decades before his retirement in 2015. He had been a Conservative councillor for a large part of his six-year tenure and was their group leader from May 2022 up until May 2024 when Coun Anstee took his place.

His fellow Reform Councillor in Rochdale, Coun Jordan Tarrant-Short, added: “It’s an honour to have John Taylor join me on the council. He’s an experienced, high-calibre local politician, and I’m genuinely excited to work alongside him as the unofficial opposition to the current administration.

“With John by my side, I’m confident we’re in a strong position to make major gains in May 2026.”