Hartlepool Councillor to Step Down as Interim Chair of Reform UK Hartlepool Branch...

Amanda Napper, Reform UK Throston Ward Councillor

The Reform UK councillor representing Hartlepool's Throston Ward said she has loved every minute of helping to build and grow the towns branch into the solid and staunch form that it now is...

29th October 2025

Reform UK’s Hartlepool branch has today announced a significant leadership change, as its been confirmed its interim chair Amanda Napper is to stand down following a period of what's claimed to be 'increasing unrest' within the local political party.

Reform UK's decision to allow Mike Young (Pictured Right) into the party sparked a major backlash from its members..

It comes as its claimed many reform members have become increasingly angry at the parties decision to allow the now former Conservative Councillor for Hartlepool's Rural West & former leader of Hartlepool Borough Council Mike Young into the political party without any consultation of its members, sparking a huge backlash from its members, as well as claims many reform members have resigned their memberships of the party in protest sparking claims of a Local Leadership crisis.

In a statement released this week, Cllr Napper who represents Hartlepool's Throston Ward said: “the time has come to hang up my shoes for the foreseeable future” as she now prepares to hand over the reins to a new branch chair. She reflected warmly on her time in the position, saying she's loved every minute of helping to build and grow the branch into the solid and staunch form that it now is.

While stepping down from the interim role, Cllr Napper made clear that she remains deeply committed to the party’s local efforts, saying: “I am relishing playing a large part in its future too by assisting the incumbent Chair in any way that I can for it to continue in its path to success,” she said.

Napper also addressed recent speculation surrounding the parties internal struggles, as well as claims from some of its members that the political party is operating as a "dictatorship" by saying: “I would like to assure our members that, contrary to some very misguided social media statements, our branch has and will continue to be run in line with the rules and express instructions of our Regional Director,” she affirmed.

Her decision to step down was reportedly made in compliance with party rules, as she currently serves as Leader of the Reform UK group within Hartlepool Borough Council. “Obeying these very rules means that I have to step down from my Interim Chair position as I am the Leader of our Reform UK group within Council and sadly I can't be both,” she explained.

In closing, Napper struck a positive tone, promising to remain a familiar face within the local movement. “I won't be saying 'goodbye' or even 'farewell' but see you soon at our next meeting, campaign event or town council.”

Mike Youngs move to Reform UK is being seen as a politically calculated move to keep him elected as he bids to defend his seat in Hartlepool's Rural West in may 2026..

Her departure as Interim Chair comes as Labour is expected to see heavy losses in Hartlepool across almost every town ward in the May 2026 local council elections, a move many claim will see not only a major political power shift in Hartlepool.... But also in Westminster, despite Reform's struggle to hold together it's members, who are said to be becoming increasingly disillusioned at the parties direction following its decision to take on board a number of former Conservative Councillors, one of which ironically is up for election in just months...