Another Conservative councillor has defected to Reform UK in North Yorkshire as the Tories’ leadership contest took a bizarre twist yesterday (May 6).

'Pathetic shower'

Council leader Carl Les told the Stray Ferret Cllr Tim Grogan, who represents Monk Fryston and South Milford, had joined Reform.

It reduces the number of Conservative councillors to 41 of the 90 total seats at County Hall in Northallerton and increases Reform’s representation to five.

Cllr Grogan’s decision coincides with today’s local elections, which do not include North Yorkshire, and adds to the turbulence surrounding the local Tories.

As reported last night, yesterday’s ‘tense and chaotic’ Tory AGM descended into farce when the leadership contest had to be abandoned.

Cllr Keane Duncan was nominated to challenge Cllr Les, but the ballot was aborted amid a row over who could vote.

The Conservatives rely on three Independents, including Ripon Minster and Moorside Cllr Andrew Williams, to prop up their control of North Yorkshire Council.

There was disagreement over whether only the 41 Conservative councillors could vote or whether all 44 councillors that belong to the wider Conservative and Independents group were eligible to vote.

A working party was set up to review the constitution and the ballot deferred until July.

Cllr Les spoke to the Stray Ferret at last night’s mayor making ceremony in Ripon, which he attended along with council deputy leader Cllr Gareth Dadd and council chairman Cllr George Jabbour. They watched as their group colleague Cllr Williams was elected mayor of the city.

Cllr Les claimed most councillors were in favour of all group members being able to vote, even though this would entitle people who aren’t party members to decide the leadership of a group dominated by Conservatives.

He said: “Our rules and constitution haven’t kept pace with present circumstances and the potential future circumstances.”

Cllr Duncan declined to comment.

Liberal Democrat Cllr Chris Aldred, who represents High Harrogate and Kingsley, described the Conservatives as a “pathetic shower”, adding:

"And these people expect you to believe they can run a multi-million pound organisation, providing services which we all need, when they can’t even organise their own leadership election."

The North Yorkshire Lib Dems also held their AGM yesterday, at which Cllr Peter Lacey, who represents Coppice Valley and Duchy, was re-elected group leader.

The next North Yorkshire Council elections take place on May 7, 2027.