Nottinghamshire County Council staff have been left “in tears” following Reform UK’s victory in last week’s Local Elections.
Nigel Farage’s party secured a convincing majority on the council in the May 1 elections, which the Reform UK leader described as “astonishing” to GB News.
An outgoing councillor claims some employees are now actively seeking new jobs due to fears about the incoming administration.
The local authority had never been run by any party apart from the Conservatives or Labour in its history.
Reform’s takeover marks a significant shift in local governance for Robin Hood Country.
Farage’s party now has 40 councillors compared to 17 for the Conservatives and just four for Labour.
Jason Zadrozny, unseated after nearly 20 years as an Ashfield Independent councillor, made the claims about distressed staff.
“I’ve had senior officers in tears to me today saying they’re looking for other jobs,” said Zadrozny, who still leads Ashfield District Council.
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He added that staff were “terrified” about public services “being thrown out the window by not just inexperienced councillors, but people who have a very set view of the world”.
Farage had previously outlined his plans for the council during a visit to Nottinghamshire.
“Work from home culture under us is gone,” he told NottinghamshireLive, adding that he would “absolutely” expect staff to work in the office every day “within reason”.
The Reform UK leader also pledged to review staff pay and fire those not meeting targets.
He specifically mentioned scrapping any roles linked to diversity, equity and inclusion at the council.
“We’re very happy to pay people big money, if they deliver,” Farage stated.
Many new Reform councillors arrived at County Hall on Friday where Nottinghamshire County Council staff began introducing themselves.
James Rawson, newly elected for Nuthall and Kimberley, said: “I’m particularly interested in finance and the waste.”
He added: “I genuinely still believe there is waste in all councils.”
Claire Ward, the Labour East Midlands Mayor, pledged cooperation with the new administration.
“I am committed to work with everyone in the new administrations who shares my ambition,” she said.
Zadrozny’s Ashfield Independents were nearly wiped out, losing nine of their ten seats.
“This wasn’t about Ashfield,” Zadrozny reflected. “This was the loudest they could shout on their ballot paper at Keir Starmer.”
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