Advance UK has joined Labour in condemning Reform UK over its plan to reverse its approval of funding to re-open Doncaster Sheffield Airport, accusing the party of “misleading chaos” and “a dangerous U-turn” which they also believe could kill off the re-opening plan.

Doncaster Advance UK councillors Chris Marriott and Nicola Brown – who were formerly Reform councillors before defecting – have issued a joint statement blasting Reform.

Last week, the party announced it wants to reverse a £57 million pound loan to re-open DSA which was agreed to by its councillors in November.

In a statement, the pair said: “Advance UK Doncaster condemns the extraordinary scenes at the City of Doncaster Council meeting, where Reform UK’s reckless handling of the Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) funding motion descended into farce, false allegations and outright confusion.

Advance UK councillors Nicola Brown and Christopher Marriott have accused Reform UK of "misleading chaos" and a "dangerous U turn" over plans to open the airport.

placeholder image — Advance UK councillors Nicola Brown and Christopher Marriott have accused Reform UK of "misleading chaos" and a "dangerous U turn" over plans to open the airport.

"What began with clear direction from Reform UK leadership — including a call literally just before the meeting from Richard Tice (Reform UK deputy leader) to support reopening DSA — has now become a complete and damaging reversal.

"Councillors who were told to “vote yes” to the £57 million loan guarantee are now being asked to block or unwind that very decision.

"This is not responsible local government. It is political opportunism that puts the future of our airport, thousands of jobs and Doncaster’s economic recovery at serious risk.

Coun Nicola Brown, Leader of Advance UK Doncaster, said: “Reform UK misled councillors and the public with their chaotic claims about the DSA motion.

"First they pushed for action on the airport — now they’re trying to pull the plug.

"Doncaster deserves better than this flip-flopping.

"We support reopening DSA, but not by putting council taxpayers and vital local services on the hook for years without proper safeguards.

"That is why we have chosen the grown-up path of cross-party working through the Mayor’s executive group — something Reform UK refuse to do, why?”

Advance UK Doncaster’s two councillors — Coun Brown and Coun Marriott — say they were elected in May 2025 “on a platform of fixing Doncaster, not playing political games.”

She added: “We will continue to fight for a realistic, deliverable plan to bring DSA back to life while protecting council finances and residents’ priorities.

"The people of Doncaster are watching. They voted for change in 2025 — not for more of the same broken politics. Advance UK will always put Doncaster first, even when others put party loyalty ahead of the borough’s future.”

Yesterday, both Labour mayor of Doncaster Ros Jones and South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard united to condemn Reform, saying the move would kill off plans to re-open the airport, which has been shut since 2022.

In response, Reform UK Doncaster have issued a statement saying: “Reform UK Doncaster is fully committed to seeing Doncaster Sheffield Airport reopen. We believe a thriving airport is vital for jobs, investment, and the future of our region – and we will fight for that.

“But being committed to the airport means being committed to getting the DEAL RIGHT for Doncaster’s people.”

“We want the airport open. We want it to succeed. That’s exactly WHY we’re demanding a deal that protects taxpayers and gives DSA the best possible chance of long-term success – not a rushed agreement that sets it up to fail.”