Aylesbury Councillor defects from Reform to Conservatives. Call for by-election.

Aylesbury Labour calls for by-election after councillor’s defection hands Conservatives control of Buckinghamshire Council

Aylesbury Labour is calling for a Councillor to stand down following her decision to defect from Reform UK to the Conservatives.

Kingsbrook, Bierton and Wing Councillor Kathryn Gibbons was elected as a Reform UK councillor in May 2025 but yesterday announced her decision to join the Conservative Party. This decision has handed the Conservatives overall control of Buckinghamshire Council without any further reference to voters.

Aylesbury residents expect integrity and respect for the democratic mandate they give at the ballot box.

This is not simply a matter of party politics; it is a matter of democratic accountability. Control of the council has changed through a switch of party allegiance, not through an election.
Eris Robertson, Chair of Aylesbury Labour Party, said:
“This move simply takes us back into the realm of a council that keeps making the same badly run, poorly managed and budgeted council, it’s just a slap in the face of voters who selected their councillors at the ballot box back in May 2025. We are calling for a by-election in Councillor Gibbons’ ward so that voters can decide whether they wish for her to continue to represent them under a new party.
“Aylesbury Constituency Labour Party is proud of who it is and what it stands for. The party is united, disciplined and focused on serving local communities, with a clear priority of being champions for residents across Buckinghamshire.

“If Councillor Gibbons believes that her decision reflects the views of local people, the appropriate and honourable course of action is to stand down and seek a fresh mandate. The people of Kingsbrook, Bierton and Wing should be given the opportunity to decide who represents them and who controls their council.
Aylesbury Labour will always stand up for local democracy, accountability, and the right of residents to have their voices heard.”