Three Plymouth Reform UK councillors have resigned from the party under the leadership of Steve Ricketts.
Two of the councillors have defected to Restore Britain, while the other will now sit as an independent councillor.
Councillors Andrew Crumplin (Moor View) and Mark Hadfield (St Budeaux) have both defected to Restore Britain.
Meanwhile, Councillor Grace Stickland (Plymstock Dunstone) will now sit as an independent member.
The latest departures mean Reform UK has now lost four councillors since the May elections, reducing its group from 16 to 12.
Councillor Carol Ney (Southway) quit last month amid an internal row over the party’s direction and its handling of a controversial social media post by Cllr Vanessa Tyler about border guards being allowed to “open fire on illegal migrants”.
Cllr Crumplin said his decision to leave Reform UK had not been an easy one and that he had taken time to consider his position. He said:
"My decision has stemmed from a large influence of ex-Conservatives driving things behind the scenes, sometimes ignoring the wishes or views of councillors.
"Ultimately, I must remain true to my principles, above all, to the reason I stood for election in the first place, to serve the people of Moor View Ward."
Cllr Hadfield also confirmed he had left Reform UK for Restore Britain, while stressing that his concerns related to the party at a local and regional level rather than nationally. He said:
"I want to make it clear that I have no issues, and never have had any, with Reform UK nationally. Quite the opposite."
"However, at a local and regional level, several things have given me cause for concern."
Cllr Hadfield said his military background had taught him to speak up when he believed something needed addressing. He added:
"I have never been afraid to make difficult decisions when I believe they are necessary, whether that is for the greater good or to draw attention to things that need fixing."
Cllr Stickland will not be joining Restore Britain and will instead represent Plymstock Dunstone as an independent councillor on Plymouth City Council.
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