Nigel Farage announced the defection of a Tory councillor to his party, meaning that Reform UK now holds a Cornwall seat for the first time.
The defection was announced at Reform’s Regional Conference in Cornwall (Image: Getty)
Cornwall Council has its first Reform UK councillor after a shock defection gave leader Nigel Farage a huge boost.
Earlier today, Cornwall councillor for Newquay Kevin Towill announced at the party’s conference that he would now represent the insurgent party after defecting from the Conservatives.
The news was greeted by huge cheers and a standing ovation from the 700 Reform supporters in attendance at the conference which saw passionate demonstrations outside as Farage was greeted by antifascist campaigners from Cornwall Resists.
Cllr Towill has represented the Newquay Porth & Tretharras ward on Cornwall Council since 2017 and believes that his move to Reform allows him to “stand for community and for the people” in a party he says is attracting people from across the political spectrum.
He said: “The Conservative Party’s record in Government was totally unacceptable, the in-fighting was terrible and only Reform offers a clear way ahead.
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Kevin Towill has been a Conservative councillor since 2017 (Image: Facebook)
“I’ve been a Newquay town councillor since 2007 and a Cornwall councillor since 2017, and my message to residents is that with Reform backing me, I am able to serve you better than ever.”
There were ugly scenes outside the event as demonstrators attempted to stop people from entering the building, with altercations at times turning violent.
Farage was greeted by anti-fascist demonstrators and was subjected to chants such as “Nazi,” “refugees are welcome here” and “Seriously? How Are You Still Listening To This Dickhead?”
The Clacton MP was left incensed by the incidents outside the venue, slamming the performance of the police and claiming that the scenes were different to the kind of protests he and his party members have become used to at times.
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The conference saw ugly scenes outside as demonstrators clashed (Image: Getty)
Scenes turned violent and the performance of the police was slammed by Farage (Image: Getty)
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He said: “We’re used to name calling and a few eggs being thrown, but this was very different. This was Antifa – a very dangerous American organisation, who’ve spread their tentacles over here and they’re violent. They see violent protest as being acceptable. I’ve been told that somebody has already had their tooth knocked out. These are very nasty, dangerous people.
“No political protest in Britain should be allowed with people wearing masks. That is completely unacceptable at every level. I’m astonished that Antifa have not been banned as an organisation because of their repeated use of violence.
“I have to say I am not happy with the Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Police because the argument that we don’t intervene until things have gone wrong as opposed to policing being preventative … I’m pretty appalled frankly. I tour the country repeatedly and most police forces would stop that and made sure there was plenty of room for members of the public to come in.
“What’s happening in that hall is a democratic exercise by a peaceful party headed towards an election on May 1 in Cornwall that matters rather a lot.”
