Press Release

Six Former Reform UK Councillors Join Advance UK in Derbyshire

Advance UK has confirmed that six former Reform UK councillors in Derbyshire have joined the party, marking a significant strengthening of its local government presence in the county.

The announcement was made publicly by Advance UK leadership, highlighting the party’s continued growth at grassroots level and increasing momentum ahead of 2026.

Councillors Joining Advance UK

• Alex Stevenson
• Alan Abernethy – former Mayor of Heanor & Loscoe
• Malc Hibbard
• Laura Brunelleschi
• Phillip Rose
• Mark Burrell

Statement

“Six Reform councillors in Derbyshire have joined Advance UK. More to follow.”
— Ben Habib

The move brings experienced local representatives into Advance UK, adding depth of local knowledge and reinforcing the party’s focus on community-level leadership rather than headline politics.

Looking Ahead

This development follows a period of realignment in Derbyshire local politics and forms part of a wider series of announcements as Advance UK continues to build a credible local and national platform ahead of the next election cycle.

Source

Original announcement by Ben Habib on X (formerly Twitter):

Official correspondence confirming Advance UK’s next phase of national development

The documents below outline the formal groundwork now being laid for Advance UK’s regional and branch expansion programme. They mark the beginning of the party’s structured national rollout and the establishment of democratic regional and local branches.

This phase of development will enable members, supporters and local organisers to formally participate in Advance UK’s growth at constituency and regional level, creating a nationwide grassroots framework.

This is a major step forward in building a national grassroots movement capable of supporting candidates, volunteers and members across the UK.