William Jones, North Somerset’s newest Reform UK councillor for Hutton and Locking, has expressed confidence that his party will perform strongly in next year’s local elections.
Jones became the third Reform UK councillor on North Somerset Council following his by-election victory on 10 September. Unlike his colleagues, who joined the party after initially being elected by other parties, Jones won his seat directly as a Reform UK candidate. However, with the full council elections scheduled for 6 May 2027, he anticipates campaigning again within eight months.
“I predict that we are going to do very well. We are in a good position. We have got three strong branches in the area. It’s all to play for,” Jones said.
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Previously a Conservative, Jones worked at the Conservative Campaign Headquarters and with local MP John Penrose. He described feeling “a bit disappointed” with the party’s performance in the 2024 General Election, which saw the Conservatives lose Weston-super-Mare for the first time since 2005 and the North Somerset constituency for the first time ever. He added: “Even the members and councillors did not want to go and canvass so you could not really expect the residents to vote.”
Jones said his attraction to Reform UK’s policies included its long-term goal of raising the personal tax allowance to £20,000. Currently employed in the discharge team at Weston General Hospital, he highlighted working alongside many immigrant workers. “There is nothing wrong with immigrant workers; it’s about how do we protect them in comparison to those who come here illegally,” he said. He went on, “People come over here on small boats and do what they want. It’s unfair.”
It is worth noting that people claiming asylum after arriving in the UK, including via small boats, are not permitted to work while their applications are processed. Those unable to support themselves may apply for accommodation and receive a weekly payment, which has led to some contentious government housing arrangements.
The recent by-election was held following the death of Conservative councillor Terry Porter in June, who had represented Hutton and Locking on North Somerset Council for 17 years. Jones recalled campaigning alongside Porter against a local housing development and paid tribute in a social media post after his win: “Councillor Porter was a dedicated and passionate councillor for Hutton and Locking for many years, and he’s left some mighty big shoes to fill.”
Looking ahead, Jones stated his commitment to involving local residents in housing development decisions. “For me, being a councillor is going door to door. I can’t just be elected and sit in a council chamber all day and expect things to go my way.”
In the by-election, Jones secured 706 votes (38%), narrowly surpassing Liberal Democrat candidate Georgina Barry, who gained 612 votes. Reform UK did not field candidates in the 2023 full council elections.
Hutton and Locking is a two-councillor ward, with Mike Solomon, an independent aligned with the Liberal Democrats, remaining as the other representative.