Doncaster councillor explains why he quit Reform UK to go independent
“I think being a neutral there’s more chance to talk to people.”
The former Reform UK councillor in Doncaster who quit the party to sit as an independent has said being ‘neutral’ will make it easier to represent all his constituents.
Councillor Will Shaw resigned from Reform UK on October 14, 2026, citing his desire to be ‘politically neutral’ in his role as Doncaster’s farming and nature recovery champion and on the Pride in Place Board in Conisbrough North.
Speaking later about his decision, Coun Shaw said: “I think being a neutral there’s more chance to talk to people… being independent makes that easier.
“I think if you were Labour then the farmers wouldn’t talk to you and there’s other people who wouldn’t talk to Reform.
“I think if you’re not political, there’s more chance of getting things done.”
Councillor Shaw is also a farmer based in Old Denaby, near Conisbrough, and was appointed by the Labour Party Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, to be the farming and nature recovery champion earlier this year.
He was elected a councillor in May 2025, when Reform UK stormed to a majority on the City of Doncaster Council, but lost the all-important vote for Mayor of Doncaster, meaning Labour remained in control.
Coun Shaw said he would be more than happy to work collaboratively with councillors from all parties in Doncaster, but admitted political groups do find cross-party working ‘hard at times’.