Reform UK leader Nigel Farage (Image: Getty)
A pro-Brexit Lib Dem councillor has defected to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK. Jason Fazackarley, who was first elected to Portsmouth City Council in 1995 and served as the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth in 2004 and 2024, said the insurgent party now “better represents my outlook”.
The Lib Dems said Mr Fazackarley regularly switches parties and had been a member of five. Mr Fazackarley, who campaigned for Brexit in the 2016 referendum, said: “People change their minds over time, and politics should be no different.
“After more than twenty years representing the people of Nelson Ward, my views have developed, as have the concerns of residents.
“Reform UK now better represents my outlook and my commitment to standing up for local people.
“I have always believed in democracy and in respecting the wishes of the people. I campaigned for Vote Leave because I believed it was the right thing for Britain, even though my party at the time opposed it.
“Since then, I have watched national and local politics move further away from the values I hold.”
George Madgwick, who leads Reform’s group on Portsmouth City Council, said he was “delighted” to welcome Mr Fazackarley.
Jason Fazackarley has switched to Reform UK (Image: Jason Fazackarley)
Mr Madgwick said: “He has been a respected figure in Portsmouth politics for nearly 30 years and has always been known for putting residents above party interests.
“His decision to join Reform UK is a testament to how far we’ve come in building a credible and common-sense alternative for local people.
“Jason’s experience, his understanding of how the council works, and his deep connection to the people of Nelson Ward will strengthen our group enormously.
“Together we will continue to challenge the status quo, hold the administration to account, and deliver real solutions to the issues that matter from the GP shortage to the strain on public services and the need for fair immigration policies.”
His defection means Reform now has eight councillors on Portsmouth City Council, which is run as a minority administration by the Lib Dems who have 18 councillors.
A Liberal Democrat spokesperson said: “The Liberal Democrats are focused on delivering for the people of Portsmouth, including working hard to fix our broken health and care services, tackling the cost-of-living crisis and holding water companies to account.”
