Reform UK – Who’s Next to Jump?

3 days ago
3 min read

Hartlepool Watches to See which Councillors next to jump the stalls & defect to Reform

It seems Political Musical Chairs Has Come to Hartlepool, Which Councillor Do You Think will be Next to Join Reform...?

13th Feb 2026

Right then – purely for a bit of political mischief and a laugh over a pint – we’re opening the book on who might be the next Hartlepool councillor to swap their rosette for a shade of turquoise.

No money changing hands, no inside information, just tongue firmly in cheek.

Place your imaginary bets.

Reform UK – Who’s Next to Jump?

Shane Moore – The Serial Political Party Jumper ?

Joined More Political Parties than Peter Mandelson's had Political Scandals. Could Cllr Moore Jump Ship from Independent to Reform to try another four years out under a different banner ?

The Headland Independent has previously indicated he has no intention of standing again. But politics is a funny old game.

Shane Moore is no stranger to a party shuffle, having represented four different political banners since first being elected. If Reform’s recent by-election performances start looking like a rising tide, could he dust off the campaign leaflets and make one more grand return?

Current odds: 3/1 – Stranger things have happened.

Rachael Creevey – The Ice Age Special

No Chance, although you never know in the political shuffle of Hartlepool

The Labour De Bruce ward councillor defecting to Reform? That would be seismic.

The chances are currently being priced at somewhere between “highly improbable” and “call the scientists.” We’d rate it about as likely as Keir Starmer walking off with the Mastermind trophy.

Current odds: 500/1 – Hell would need thermal insulation.

Pamela Hargreaves – Her Husband would Have a meltdown !

Anything's possible in politics. But given she’s married to Jonathan Brash, a Labour MP, one suspects that a Reform defection might cause mild domestic friction & not the Valentines Day sort...

Let’s just say if that announcement ever came, the household thermostat would spike.

We’d put this one in the “headline-grabbing but wildly unlikely” category.

Current odds: 100/1 – Political earthquake required.

Owen Riddle – The 2026 Watchlist

No signs of Owen Riddle Defecting to Reform, but would depend on how badly he wanted to keep his seat.

Up for election in 2026, and while a switch to Reform seems unlikely, the bigger question might be whether the seat itself changes hands in May.

Defection? Unlikely. Electoral turbulence if he loses the seat? More plausible.

Current odds: 8/1 – Not impossible, just improbable.

Gordon Cranney – The Seaton Swing Seat

No Signs of Gordon Cranney Moving over to Reform, but there's still time

Now sitting as an Independent in Seaton and facing the voters in May, Cranney represents one of the more intriguing names on the board.

No formal party anchor at present, a live election ahead, and Reform clearly eyeing opportunities across the borough.

Current odds: Evens – The bookies are watching closely.

Gary Allen – Labour Loyalist

Labour till i die, Gary Allen wont roll over to reform... its just not gonna happen !

Short and sweet.

This one falls firmly into the “not happening” file. If loyalty were a betting market, this would be the safest accumulator pick of the weekend.

Current odds: 1000/1 – Labour till the final ballot.

Bob Buchan – The Political Weather Vane?

Bob Buchan's seen as the early Favourite to jump to reform next

Representing Fens & Greatham and now aligned with the Conservatives after previous party affiliations, Buchan has shown he’s not allergic to a change of colours.

If Reform’s local momentum continues and electoral arithmetic starts looking uncomfortable, could he be tempted by what he views as a safer harbour?

Current odds: 2/1 – Early favourite.

Andrew Martin Wells – Administrative Intrigue

Said to be currently in the process of Moving to Reform, however its likely to hinge on whether he wouldn't be disqualified as a candidate as he now lives 60 miles away from Hartlepool in York.

The Rural West councillor is reportedly set to align with Reform in the coming weeks. The more curious subplot, however, concerns residency.

Having relocated some 60 miles away to York for full-time work, questions remain over eligibility should he seek re-election in Hartlepool. A political subplot worthy of scrutiny.

Current odds: Odds-on – Subject to the small matter of paperwork.

There you have it. No malice, no crystal balls – just a bit of light-hearted speculation in a town where political musical chairs has become something of a spectator sport.

If you’re joining the sweepstake, who’s your money on?

Which Councillor do you think will jump to Reform Next ?

Andrew Martin Wells (Rural West Conservative)
Bob Buchan (Independent) Fens & Greatham
Gary Allen, (Labour) Victoria Ward
Gordon Cranney (Independent) Seaton