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Staffordshire Council's ruling Reform group elects third new leader in four months

Martin Murray has become the third leader of Staffordshire Council's ruling group in four months.

By Mark Andrews
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Councillor Martin Murray has been elected leader of the county's Reform UK group, and will formally take up the role as leader of the council at a meeting on March 26.

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He succeeds Councillor Chris Large who was elected leader of the group on January 30, but resigned within days, before formally taking over the leadership of the council.

Councillor Hayley Coles calls the festival "a fantastic opportunity for people to come together and enjoy entertaining films in their local library."
Councillor Hayley Coles

His predecessor, Councillor Ian Cooper, was expelled from the party in December over posts he had made on social media before he assumed the role.

Both councillors now sit as independent members of the council.

Councillor Chris Large, new leader of the Reform UK group on Staffordshire Council
Councillor Chris Large, was elected leader of the Reform UK group in January, but resigned days later

Reform UK took control of Staffordshire Council in May last year following a landslide win in the local elections.

Councillor Murray had been serving as acting leader of the council since Councillor Cooper's resignation, and is also cabinet member for economy and skills.

Councillor Ian Cooper
Councillor Ian Cooper was expelled from Reform UK in December after details of social media posts emerged

Councillor Hayley Coles, cabinet member for communities and culture, has been appointed deputy leader of the group, and is expected to be formally appointed deputy council leader at the March 26 meeting.

The council said its day‑to‑day operations would continue as normal and the council would press on in delivering its new strategic direction across all cabinet portfolios.