THE former long-standing leader of the Southend Conservative group has announced he and a colleague he have joined Reform UK.

Former Tory group leader Tony Cox and councillor Darryl Jones, former Conservative councillor for Southchurch Ward, have announced they are joining the group run by fellow Essex MP Nigel Farage.

It follows the Tory party losing control of Southend Council in May and two Labour MPs ousting the Conservative party at the General Election.

In a statement, Mr Cox said: “After nearly 30 years of membership of the Conservative Party I have today resigned my membership of the party and joined Reform UK.

“I haven’t left the Conservative Party but they have left me and the people of Southend.

“For the past two years the Conservatives across the country have stopped representing people on the issues that people care about.

“Locally, the Conservatives would rather fight amongst themselves than the Labour-led administration.

“Reform UK are now the only party who are leading a credible opposition to this authoritarian and nasty Labour Party.

“I am delighted to be joining my colleague Darryl Jones in forming the official Reform UK Group on Southend City Council.”

Mr Cox resigned after claiming his political colleagues had “behaved like savages”, as did councillor Jones.

They had formed the Southend Independent Group before joining Reform UK.

James Courtenay, councillor for Chalkwell ward, has since been elected as the new Conservative party leader and promised to unite the group with the “ultimate goal” of making the best decisions for Southend.

United - James Courtenay is elected as the new party leaderUnited - James Courtenay is elected as the new party leader (Image: James Courtenay)

Before Mr Cox’s resignation, Mr Courtenay was suspended amid the leadership challenge - however it was lifted after just 12 hours.

“We are back as a group of 16 and progressing forward. I thank councillor Cox for his service,” Mr Courtenay said.

Councillors Cox and Jones are the first Reform councillors in south Essex.

Former Tendring independents Jeff Bray, Peter Harris, Richard Everett and James Codling joined Reform during Nigel Farage’s General Election campaign.

Mr Farage won the Clacton seat in the General Election in his eighth attempt at becoming an MP.

On Mr Cox and Mr Jones joining Reform UK, Mr Farage said: “Reform in Essex is moving from strength to strength.

“It is great to have two active councillors reject local Tory infighting and to be joining Reform UK.

“In Essex the only way is Reform.”