Councillor Karl Perks has defected from Reform UK to the Conservative Party after saying he was criticised and isolated over his stance on painted St George crosses. The Worcestershire county councillor said the row left him increasingly uncomfortable in Reform and without confidence in the party.
Karl Perks and Reform UK
Perks said he had wanted the council to consider prosecutions last year after red crosses were painted on roundabouts and other council property. He said he saw the issue as one of criminal damage, not party loyalty.
"During the Raise the Colours campaign, I supported the display of both the union flag and the cross of St George."
"What I could not support was criminal damage to public property."
He added: "As the cabinet member responsible for highways, I condemned the painting of roundabouts, road signs and other public assets and stated that - where offences had been committed - prosecution should be considered."
Perks also said: "I believed then, and still believe today, this was entirely consistent with a party that claimed to support zero tolerance towards crime." He said: "Instead I found myself criticised, abused and isolated by Reform."
Worcestershire County Council numbers
The move changes the make-up of Worcestershire County Council. The Conservatives now have 13 county councillors, while Reform has 21.
Perks had been a cabinet member for transport under the council's previous Reform administration. He was fired in March after a series of disagreements, before now joining the Conservative group.
Last summer the council removed paint that had appeared on traffic islands across Worcestershire because of safety concerns, while leaving flags on lamp-posts in place. That split response sits at the centre of the dispute Perks says pushed him away from Reform.
Adrian Hardman welcomes Perks
Adrian Hardman, the Conservative group leader, said: "I'm delighted to welcome councillor Karl Perks to the group." He added: "Karl is an outstanding advocate for his local community in Stourport, and we look forward to working with him and holding the current administration to account for the benefit of all our residents."
Perks said: "I am extremely encouraged by the direction the Conservative Party has taken under Kemi Badenoch's leadership," signalling where he plans to sit politically after the switch. The immediate effect is straightforward: Reform loses one county councillor, and the Conservatives gain one on Worcestershire County Council.
