More Controversy for Newest Reform UK Councillor Amid Questions Over His Charitable Ventures and Business Ties...
- teessidetoday
- Aug 7
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 22
Serial failed businessman & Hartlepool Councillor Mike Young defected to Reform UK from the Conservatives this week, but his business interests outside of the council have once again sparked questions as to his suitability to be a member of Nigel Farage's political party.
11th August 2025
Former Hartlepool Conservative Councillor Mike Young has once again found himself at the centre of controversy following his high-profile defection to Reform UK on August 6, 2025.
The move, which made him the fourth Reform UK councillor on the local authority with no public confidence, has raised eyebrows not only for its political implications but also for Young’s apparent return to a pattern of involvement in newly established organisations and a web of business interests that's sparked questions about his ability to juggle these roles alongside his council duties.
Young, who represents Hartlepool's Rural West ward and has previously served as Hartlepool Borough Council’s leader in the 2023-24 municipal year, announced his departure from the Conservatives last week, stating, “I no longer have confidence that the Conservative Party, nationally or locally, can provide the leadership to meet the challenges facing our town and our country.”
His defection follows a similar move by Hartlepool Councillor Rob Darby in May, marking a growing Reform UK presence on the council, which now comprises 22 Labour representatives, five independents, four Conservatives, four Reform councillors, and one Independent Union representative.
However, it's Young’s reported involvement in a series of charitable and commercial ventures that's once again reignited scrutiny over his business activities, with critics questioning how the councillor manages to balance these commitments with his public responsibilities.
According to his register of interests which the Teesside & Durham Post obtained, Young is said to be a director of the business REALLYGOODTHINGS LTD, a company only incorporated on March 31, 2025, under company number 16354232.
Described as a “specialist impact & communications consultancy, working at the forefront of social and environmental change,” the Newcastle Upon Tyne-based firm has raised questions about its scope and Mike Young’s role in it.
The company’s recent establishment and Young’s position as a director within it has led some to speculate whether this is a genuine venture, or a continuation of what critics call his “old tricks” of aligning himself with high-profile but nascent organisations.
Adding to the intrigue even further, is claims that Young is now listed as a trustee of the charitable organisation PRECISION ACRES, a charity registered under number 1212828, based in Newcastle Upon Tyne.
The charity’s claimed mission is to provide “safe, affordable, and sustainable housing and wraparound support services” for those in need, particularly in the North East, addressing issues of youth, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship, or other social and economic disadvantages.
Whilst the charity’s goals appear noble, Mike Youngs previous contempt for those who are poor & vulnerable as documented in his 2020 'celebration' of a council tax increase and his involvement in this latest new venture has drawn ironic commentary, given his past controversies.
In 2021, Young resigned as deputy mayor and deputy council leader of Hartlepool Borough Council after facilitating discussions about a potential nuclear waste disposal site in Hartlepool, a move that drew sharp criticism from Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen and others. The parallels between that episode and his current involvement in newly formed organisations have led some to question whether Young is leveraging his public profile for personal or political gain.
Mike Young is now the second councillor to declare he's a member of the 'Freemasons'...
Young’s business interests further complicate the picture. In addition to claims he's now a member of the Freemasons, making him the second councillor on Hartlepool Borough Council to disclose being a member of the shady group.. He's reportedly a commercial bid manager for North Tees & Hartlepool Solutions LLP, a firm linked to NHS services, and serves as a commercial manager for CBL Cable Contractors Ltd, JVH Vehicle Hire Ltd, and S C & J Trading Company Ltd.
These roles, spanning healthcare, infrastructure, and vehicle hire, suggest a sprawling portfolio that's prompted scepticism about how Young manages his time. Critics argue that the demands of these positions, combined with his roles as a councillor, director, and trustee, raise significant questions about his capacity to serve effectively in any single role, let alone all of them.
Young’s history of failed companies & dishonesty adds fuel to the scepticism. In 2023, he faced allegations of “dishonesty” over claims in a Conservative leaflet that he had instructed council officers to prepare a budget to freeze council tax for 2024/25—a claim later contradicted by the council’s managing director.
The issue led to an investigation by the council’s audit and governance committee, though Young claiming he welcomed the probe, stating it would clarify “a lot of things that have happened in the background.” The incident, combined with his 2021 resignation over the nuclear waste controversy, has cemented a perception among some that Young is prone to calamitous decisions making that marks him as wholly unsuitable to be placed in any role of responsibility & a huge liability for any business to take on as a so called 'consultant'...
His defection to Reform UK has only amplified these concerns, with critics on platforms such as 'X' suggesting that Young’s move aligns with a broader pattern of political opportunism. Posts on X have also highlighted Reform UK’s growing influence in Hartlepool, with some users questioning the motives of defectors like Young. However, a small group of supporters argue his shift reflects genuine disillusionment with the Conservatives and a desire to address local issues through Reform UK’s platform. Young himself has stated that “only Reform has the answers,” pointing to the party’s focus on local governance and national reform.
However, as Hartlepool navigates this latest political shake-up, the spotlight firmly remains on Mike Young. His involvement in numerous businesses has reignited debates about transparency, accountability, and the feasibility of managing such a diverse portfolio whilst serving as a town councillor. Whether these ventures signal a genuine commitment to social and environmental change or a return to controversial patterns remains a point of contention.
For now, it seems Young’s defection and his growing list of affiliations ensures he remains a polarising figure in Hartlepool’s political landscape & now holds the record beating the former Labour Councillor Kevin Cranney as one of Hartlepool's most controversial political figures.
An Accolade many wouldn't want to brag about for sure !
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