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The leader of Wigan council’s opposition group Coun Paul Watson has joined Reform, predicting his new party could take over control of the authority by May 2027. Coun Watson has represented the Atherton North ward since 2019 as one of 11 Independent members on the authority, but today said ‘only Nigel Farage’s party has the answers to the biggest problems facing the country’. His move follows the election of the council’s first Reform UK councillor, Lee Moffitt, at a local council by-election in October. To see planning applications; traffic and road diversions and layout changes; and more, visit the Public Notices Portal HERE Coun Watson said people had been ‘betrayed by establishment politics, and that real political change is needed’. He went on: “Reform UK will rediscover the common-sense approach in politics, and return to the fundamentals of what governance actually is. “Our job as politicians is to improve the quality of life and prosperity of the British people – it is that simple. Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE Join our Court and Crime WhatsApp group HERE “Reform UK is the only party that is willing to prioritise the needs of the British people. “My immediate goal is to work with the two other Reform UK branches within the borough to establish a strategic foothold within Wigan council, which will pave the way for a fully controlled Reform UK Council in Wigan by May 2027.” A spokesperson for the national Reform party welcomed Coun Watson to the party. They said: “We’re delighted to have Paul on board. We welcome anyone who shares our vision for integrity, accountability, and meaningful change to join us.” Labour currently controls Wigan with 63 councillors; there are now 10 Independent members, one Conservative and now two Reform members. Join our Christmas in Manchester WhatsApp group HERE
