Derbyshire councillors join new far-right political party after resigning from Reform UK
A group of Derbyshire councillors who quit Reform UK have announced they are now representing a new far-right splinter party, with the first test of their electoral prospects coming later this month.
The six members of Heanor & Loscoe Town Council, including Mayor Alan Abernethy, have joined Advance UK, a party launched in 2025 by Reform’s former national deputy leader Ben Habib amid disputes with leader Nigel Farage.
Councillors Abernethy, Alex Stevenson, Phillip Rose, Malc Hibbard, Laura Brunelleschi and Mark Burrell – four of whom also occupy parish council offices – say they represent an extensive local grassroots network in and around Amber Valley.
Cllr Stevenson, a former Conservative councillor who claimed second place in the constituency for Reform on 28.7 per cent of votes at the 2024 General Election, said: “We resigned from Reform UK because that party has lost touch with the grassroots values that first inspired it and us. Our loyalty has always been to our constituents, not to a party machine.
“We joined Advance UK because Ben Habib represents the leadership, principles and vision that Britain urgently needs. Together, we will build the campaign team required to give voters a real alternative at the General Election in 2029. Until then and beyond we will represent our constituents to the very best of our ability.”
While already serving on parish councils for Shipley and Aldercar & Langley Mill, Cllr Stevenson has announced his candidacy for two by-elections being held on Tuesday, January 20, in the the Derbyshire County Council Horsley division and the Amber Valley Borough Council ward of Codnor, Langley Mill & Aldercar.
He will face off with rivals including candidates from Reform UK, at a time when the party is facing a backlash in Derbyshire for reneging on campaign pledges to reduce Council Tax, instead proposing to raise it by the maximum 4.99 per cent starting in April.
Advance UK describes its mission as “upholding the UK’s Christian constitution, protecting freedom, restoring democracy, and ensuring equality under the law.”
The party was affiliated with the ‘Unite the Kingdom’ rally in September 2025, which saw more than 100,000 far-right activists and sympathisers march through London behind the serial convicted criminal known as Tommy Robinson.
The previous month, the organisation received words of support from the allegedly fascist-saluting South African billionaire Elon Musk, who said: “Advance UK will actually drive change. Farage is weak sauce who will do nothing.”
Welcoming his latest recruits, leader Mr Habib said: “I have known Alex Stevenson and his team for well over a year. We campaigned together when I was deputy leader of Reform. I am delighted to have them on board at Advance. We are rapidly establishing the party. With their assistance we will be well placed to campaign in Derbyshire.
“Alex is standing in the forthcoming by-elections on 20 January. These will be the first elections in which Advance UK has fielded candidates. I wish him all the best of luck in those elections.
For details of all candidates standing in the two by-elections, go to ambervalley.gov.uk/councillors-and-elections/elections/local-elections.