Reform's third council leader in a year steps down

The Reform UK leader of Staffordshire County Council has announced his decision to step down after seven months in the role.

Martin Murray, who was formally elected in March, confirmed he had resigned as both the authority's leader and as leader of its Reform group on Tuesday, adding it was in the "best interests" of Staffordshire and its residents.

Murray's departure is the latest in a series of leadership changes in Staffordshire since December 2025, following the exits of Ian Cooper and Chris Large.

Deputy leader Hayley Coles had been selected as the party's fourth group leader and would serve as acting leader of the county council, a Reform spokesperson confirmed.

Councillor Coles, who Reform said would be confirmed as leader of the council in December, said: "I am proud to have been trusted to lead our Reform administration and Staffordshire County Council into this new chapter.

"My priority is to drive forward the mandate our residents voted for and deliver the change the county so desperately needs."

Murray would remain as a Reform councillor for Cannock Town, the party confirmed.

Councillor Sean Bagguley, cabinet member for finance and resources, had become acting deputy leader of the council, a spokesperson for the authority added.

In a statement, councillor Murray said it was a "difficult decision" but the interests of Staffordshire and the council "must come first".

He said he was proud of his work to boost investment in Staffordshire and to raise the profile of the county's tourism, leisure and hospitality sectors.

"It has been a privilege to serve the people of Staffordshire and to work alongside dedicated councillors, officers, businesses, community organisations and residents," he said.

"While my time as leader has come to an end, my commitment to Staffordshire and the people of Cannock remains unchanged."

Murray added: "I do wish the council and its new leadership every success in the years ahead."

Murray had previously called for stability at the county council after a period of leadership that first saw Cooper step down over racism allegations linked to social media activity, followed by the departure of Large, who was investigated over racist comments he denied writing.

Cooper, who remained an independent councillor in Tamworth, was subject to an investigation following allegations made against him in December 2025.

In June, the authority confirmed it had not upheld the complaints against the ex-leader, because its investigation found he "was not acting in his capacity as a councillor" at the time.

Councillor Phillip White, leader of the Conservative opposition on the authority, said: "I wish Martin Murray well for the future but it is deeply concerning that Staffordshire County Council - one of the largest local authorities in the country, is now onto its fourth Reform leader in a year and a half."

Newcastle-under-Lyme Labour MP Adam Jogee described the news as "another example of the chaos that dominates county hall".

"Rather than leading with competence, getting a grip and making things work, all we get is chaos and division from those in charge at Staffordshire County Council," he said.

"The people of Newcastle-under-Lyme deserve so much better than this."

BBC Midlands political editor Elizabeth Glinka said Reform's victory in the Staffordshire local elections was "emphathic", having taken 49 out of the 62 seats and "devastating the local conservatives who had run the council for decades".

"With so many new councillors some teething problems were perhaps to be expected, but personnel issues have been a continued distraction for the group," she said.

"Having lost one councillor within weeks of the election over social media posts, this summer another Charlotte Kelly defected to the Conservatives, blaming sexism and bullying within Reform. The party said she had been a source of "ongoing disharmony".

"Fallings out and resignations are hardly unusual in local government, but a fourth group leader in 17 months isn't the advert for strong and stable leadership the party may have hoped for."

The group's first leader Cooper still sits as independent, she said.

"He was expelled from the party for failing to declare social media accounts. One of which showed he was a "top fan" on a white supremacy page on Facebook," Glinka explained.

"His replacement councillor Large, was never actually sworn in as council leader, resigning from the party following alleged racist comments on a social media account bearing his name. He said his account was hacked and continues to sit as an independent."

"Martin Murray's departure makes three. The local party will no doubt be hoping new leader Hayley Coles manages to surpass his seven months in charge."

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