Advance UK has officially launched its Doncaster branch – after two city councillors defected from Reform UK.

Earlier this year, Councillor Nicola Brown, who represents Adwick and Carcroft for Advance UK was announced as the party’s group leader in the city.

She joined her new party in early December 2025 and told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that the party was now officially registered with the City of Doncaster Council.

A party spokesperson said: “We have officially launched the Advance UK – Doncaster Branch.

Taking interim charge as Branch Chair is Coun Chris Marriott. He is pictured alongside Regional Director Reggie Wray and Group Leader Cllr Nicola Brown.

placeholder image — Taking interim charge as Branch Chair is Coun Chris Marriott. He is pictured alongside Regional Director Reggie Wray and Group Leader Cllr Nicola Brown.

“Taking charge as interim branch chair is Coun Chris Marriott, who also serves as Deputy Group Leader for Advance UK on Doncaster Council.

“This marks an important step in strengthening Advance UK’s presence in Doncaster, and we look forward to building a strong and active branch for our local community.”

Earlier this year, Coun Brown said: “We want a good and prosperous city and country.”

She said her party believed strongly in freedom of speech being the cornerstone of democracy and equality for all under UK law.

Advance UK currently has two councillors on Doncaster Council, after Brown’s fellow former Reform UK colleague, Cllr Christopher Marriott, joined the party on January 5.

Brown said: “We spoke prior to him joining and he contracted me to ask about it… We get on really well and we’re a good team.”

Marriott voluntarily quit Reform UK in October 2025 and sat as an independent councillor until joining Advance.

It is Brown’s first time leading a political group, having been elected a councillor for the first time in May 2025.

She said: “I’m very excited for that responsibility. Hopefully, I can lead the party in Doncaster in a good direction and help build it up,” she said.

Brown said her party wanted to do what was best for local residents and were willing to work with the large Reform UK group she has recently left to do that.

“I think that it should be irrelevant when you’re working in the ward and with people. It should be irrelevant which political party you’re under,” she told the LDRS.

“We’re still open to working with them because we’re putting the people first, not politics, which is how it should be,” Brown added.

Advance UK’s national leader has previously hinted to the LDRS there may be more Doncaster councillors joining his party in the near future. However, Brown was reluctant to press the speculation further, insisting she had “no idea” if any were considering making the jump.

She said: “None of them talk to me now, but if they want to reach out they are more than welcome.”