Reform UK is dealing with "dozens" of defections and expects more as candidates are selected for the local elections in May.

       These are "mostly" Tories and independents, the Express has been told, but some are now reportedly coming from Labour.

       Multiple Conservatives have changed their allegiance to Nigel Farage's party in recent months, such as councillors in Hertfordshire and Somerset.

       Last week also saw a blow to Sir Keir Starmer, as the first to defected from Labour. Cathy Mason of Ashfield District Council said she had been disappointed by the Prime Minister.

       It was reported by the Telegraph in the week that a specialist team has been assembled at Reform UK's headquarters, whose job is to sift through applications from aspiring candidates.

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       Gawain Towler, who was at Nigel Farage's side for 20 years as an advisor, no longer works for his new party after helping to set it up. But he remains well connected with Reform.

       Mr Towler said: “There have been dozens of defections down the country, and many more in the pipeline.

       "We don’t accept all, as they have to both pass a political and deeper vet.”

       When asked if there were any locations where the number of defections has been especially high, he replied: "Not really, it's across the board."

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       Voters in England are due to go to the polls for local elections on May 1.

       Councillors and local mayors will be picked by residents.

       But some polls have been postponed until 2026 due to planned reforms of local government, Angela Rayner announced earlier this month.

       Reform UK has won council by-elections in recent weeks.

       An aggregate result of the 192 council by-elections (197 seats) put together by Election Maps UK since the 2024 general election suggests that Labour has won 69, and is down 32.

       Conservatives have won 52, gaining 24. Reform UK has won 11, their first local victories.