A SOMERSET councillor has defected from the Conservative Party to become the county’s first Reform UK representative on Somerset County Council.
Bente Height, who is the councillor for the Shepton Mallet and Crosscombe division, said she became “uncomfortable sitting on the fence” and left the Conservative group to join Reform UK.
First elected in 2022, Ms Height cited constituent dissatisfaction with both her former party and the Liberal Democrats.
“My constituents constantly tell me they see no difference between the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties. We have unique problems that are just not being dealt with by these parties”, Ms Height said.
Such problems include too many non-English speakers in school classrooms and priority given to "homeless newcomers" in social housing, she claimed.
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Challenged about her decision to defect and the implications for electors, Ms Height said: “I have spoken to people, and they’ve said they really don’t care about my political allegiance.”
"I would like to see money being spent on people, and not on big dreams. I do not want council tax to go up with anything, I believe firmly that tax money should be in the pocket of the taxpayer.”
Ms Height also claimed that Shepton Mallet Town Council had increased the council tax in the town by 500% in recent years – a claim which has been put to the local authority.
Pressed about the brand image of Reform UK, Ms Height said: “I know that I am living in the UK, I am here and therefore I do not want foreign countries interfering. I know I will not be able to make everyone happy.”
Ms Height also works for a demolition company in Shepton Mallet alongside her councillor role.
Somerset Conservatives and Shepton Mallet Town Council have been approached for comment.
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