Crawley has gained its first Reform member of parliament through a party switch rather than an electoral victory.

Craig Burke, representing Pound Hill South and Worth, has abandoned the Conservative group following assertions from its leader Tim Charters that they are finished in Crawley.

Councillor Burke secured election to the local authority in 2023.

He expressed that Crawley is a town he cares deeply about, that he was born there, has lived there all his life, and it is where his family are. He considered being their councillor in Pound Hill South and Worth a tremendous honour and believes he is better suited to represent them as a Reform UK councillor.

His switch alters the council’s composition to 25 Labour, nine Conservatives, one Reform and one empty position.

Council leader Michael Jones said it came as no surprise and just shows that the Crawley Conservatives are in chaos. Regarding him doing the decent thing and calling a by-election, he said that is up to him.