JIM’S IN, But ROY's OUT: Hartlepool Reform Welcomes Former Labour Councillor into its Ranks...
Reform UK adds former Labour Councillor Jim Lindridge to its ranks at Hartlepool Borough Council.
14th November 2026
Hartlepool councillor Jim Lindridge has controversially joined Reform UK, with the party currently running Hartlepool Borough Council announcing that the former Fens and Greatham Independent Councillor is now the latest addition to its local ranks.
Lindridge, who'd previously sat as an Independent, before previously standing under the Labour Party, chairs Hartlepool Borough Council’s Children’s Services Committee and is also listed as its Children in our Care Champion.
Announcing the move late last month, Reform UK Hartlepool welcomed him to the party, praising his contribution to his ward and his work supporting children.
The local party said:
“We’d like to welcome Cllr Jim Lindridge, Fens & Greatham Ward and Children’s Services Chair, to Reform and look forward to working with him to make Hartlepool a better place to live.” Reform UK Hartlepool..
His move from Independent to Reform UK was also recorded by the councillor-tracking website Open Council Data UK on the 30th October, with the switch bolstering Reform’s presence at the Civic Centre, where the party took charge of a minority administration following this year’s local elections.
His move to reform comes just months after Reform reportedly courted former Labour Councillor Aaron Roy, he was then subsequently expelled from Reform UK in early May 2026 over what was said to have been leaked private WhatsApp messages in which he allegedly described England's St George's Cross as a "crusade" symbol
Cllr Lindridge's move to reform reportedly comes as its claimed Reform UK is considering the memberships of at least two other Hartlepool Councillors who reform is looking to take into the fold, however the claims have reportedly not sat well with a number of Reform's members, some of who'm have been highly critical of the groups plans to take in councillors from other political parties, focusing instead on fresh new recruits amids concerns the group is becoming a political lifeboat for the towns political ship jumpers.
