West Northants Council leader says he and Nigel Farage 'live rent-free' in Northampton Labour MP’s head

A public war of words has erupted between Northampton South MP Mike Reader and WNC leader Mark Arnull following the authority’s first budget set by Reform UK.

Councillors approved the £464.3 million 2026/27 budget at a meeting at Northampton Guildhall on Thursday, February 26. The plans include a 4.95 per cent rise in council tax and the removal of free parking for two hours in Northampton town centre at weekends.

Opening the meeting, Councillor Arnull said: “We're joined by a number of residents and not least our MP for Northampton South who over the time of my time in office I've built a good relationship on working with our shared electorates and I'm pleased that Mike's here today to address the chamber."

However, Mr Reader then addressed councillors, saying: “Reform gave a clear message that they would do things differently, that they would tackle waste, they would cut taxes. Nationally and locally your pitch to voters was built around the idea that you could keep council tax down but what we face today is instead a council tax rise, a rise of 4.95 percent.

“You came into politics saying we do things differently and tonight is your chance to prove it. If you genuinely believe the promises that you made to voters then you have a choice. You don't have to own this budget, you can vote against it, you can abstain.

“You can say clearly and respectfully that you cannot support tax rises on residents who are already stretched. You must show accountability for the promises you all made. You must vote in the interests of your constituents and vote against this budget.”

The budget was approved.

Later on social media, Mr Reader said he had ‘witnessed something very interesting’ at the meeting.

He said: “Whilst the opposition parties stood around chatting, sharing ideas and catching up before the meeting started, Reform UK councillors sat sullen, not talking, realising that they were about to break the big promise they made to people in Northampton at last year's election.

“There is clearly disagreement within the ranks. Having a leader who is told what to do by Reform UK central office and having no real say in council policy, being told what to vote for, what to say, is not what most of the councillors stood for.

“Downtrodden and knowing they were doing the wrong thing for people in our town, they voted to hike council tax to the max and raise parking charges in the town centre. I do wonder how long until the first councillor defects to Restore Britain, who have no whip and have free votes…”

Since that Facebook post, two Reform councillors have resigned from the party.

Responding, Councillor Arnull said: "Yet again we see rank hypocrisy from Labour with Mike Reader MP accusing Reform UK in West Northants of a U-turn and broken promises, when these are almost daily occurrences in Downing Street, with this horrendous government and Prime Minister Kier Starmer firmly in a death-spiral.

"It's quite something when one the four West Northants MPs comes to our chamber to hear the sound of his own voice but doesn't stay for the substantive debate. Had he stayed for the duration, he would have witnessed the opposition all slating each other when debating their respective amendments, while the Reform UK team look on, remembering what they heard on the doorsteps last year.

"Perhaps Mr Reader should spend more time shoring up his rudderless party colleagues in West Northants, as one more defection to the Liberal Democrats would make Labour the fourth party of politics in this council. Meanwhile, I'm content that Reform UK, Nigel Farage and I continue to live rent-free in Mr Reader's head."