Reform UK Takes Minority Control of Worcestershire County Council

Reform UK ended two decades of Conservative control by taking minority charge of Worcestershire County Council in May 2025, winning 27 of 57 seats. Under the leadership of Jo Monk, the administration inherited significant financial instability, including warnings of potential bankruptcy and a combined debt of £750 million across the county's seven councils.

Throughout the year, the council sought exceptional financial support from the government to manage its debts. Proposed austerity measures included selling County Hall and increasing council taxes. Zia Yusuf, the Reform UK DOGE chief, promised to cut wasteful spending to address the deficit.

Internal political tension grew as the term progressed, resulting in the dismissal of cabinet member David Taylor over policy disagreements. The administration also debated local government reorganization, submitting competing proposals to the government that advocated for either a single unitary authority or two separate unitaries for the north and south of the county.