During an interview with journalism student Harry Relf, who is on work placement with the Northamptonshire Chronicle & Echo, Cllr Arnull said: “People voted for my party based on its colours and ideology, and you only get that reality when you run a council.”
Cllr Arnull grew up in Daventry in a working-class family, his father a factory worker and his mother a secretary. His early education took him to local schools - St James’s Infant School, Abbey Junior, and later Danetre School (Now DSLV). Reflecting on those years, Cllr Arnull recalls the challenges he often faced. “It was not always easy, and I always felt a bit different.”
Cllr Arnull received an NHS ADHD diagnosis at 41. Looking back, he says the diagnosis “explains a lot about my youth.”
He does not see it as a disadvantage but as a quality. “Politics has been the cure for me. It is fast-paced and complex, so my mind thrives in that environment.” he says.
Cllr Arnull says his motivations came from the outside.
“There were things I took exception to in how the council was run.
I did not think our council at that point did the job of being very visible, contactable or relatable to residents.
“Running WNC is about the day-to-day reality of making people feel that they are back in charge and that people have a grip on democracy” he adds.
Since taking office as leader of the Reform UK Group that took over from the Conservatives in May, West Northamptonshire Council has been dealing with legacy issues from the previous administration, but is now trying to shape its own budget and governance.
“In the first six months, we repaired twice as many roads as the same period last year. A big part of my focus is making sure the public understands what the council can actually control,” he says.
C&E: Potholes MA: If you look at our figures, the amount of road repairs measured in square metres or kilometres has nearly doubled.
C&E: But residents are not thinking in square metres, they are thinking about the potholes on their own streets.
MA: Through the communication chains we have been able to explain what we are doing. Rather than fixing individual potholes one by one, we have focused on repairing larger stretches of road.
Areas like Kingsley, St Matthew's Parade have seen significant improvements. By working this way our teams are more efficient and overall we have completed twice as much work as before.
C&E: With such a large budget, surely you could do more? MA: Following the fair funding policy statement two weeks ago and our review of the figures, it looks like we will receive less in December than expected.
This means we will need to take a closer, more drastic look at the numbers and work out how to balance the difference.
What can we put the change on when 65 percent of services relate to children’s and adult social care, education and so on?
There is very little weight left and very little low-hanging fruit to make things better, and these are the challenges we face now.
C&E: If people in West Northamptonshire are not happy, is it central government’s fault or yours? MA: Part of our administration’s priority is being clear about what we can and cannot do, and what falls within our responsibility.
It can be challenging to explain to residents what we actually do, but that will be our focus for the next couple of years.
Prior to politics, Cllr Arnull worked in hospitality management, casting doubt amongst some Northamptonians that he is the right man for the job.
Cllr Arnull left school for Northampton College, training in catering before working in prisons, hotels and major events. After working abroad in New Zealand, he returned to the UK in 2007 to study a degree in Business Management at Coventry.
He recalls being a 24-year-old mature student in classes filled with 18-year-olds who had come straight from school with little real-world experience.
Cllr Arnull also spent six years in local government, working in the former County Council’s Youth Service and Schools
At the time, the County Council was run by Labour during the Blair era, while the Daventry District Council was Conservative.
With Reform holding 42 seats in the latest local elections, Cllr Arnull said: “Politics has long been waiting for a disruptor and Nigel [Farage] has been that agent of change for a number of years.”
C&E: Good change? MA: I think so.
C&E: Why do you think so? MA: We have long-standing evidence from economic outcomes to international examples showing the benefits. That is why we removed undeliverable and unrealistic net zero targets. People want reality. They want to feel they have value for money and that their best interests are being looked after.
They want a normal life, to earn money, save money, not be taxed on every dime they have, and still have a healthy and sustainable life.
Having responsible people in local government looking after their interests is what they voted for on 1 May 2025.
C&E: Reform UK often frames the migrant issue as one of the country’s biggest crises. Does that rhetoric polarise the party further from others? MA: Reform is very capable of highlighting national issues and while polarising may not be the right word, we bring attention to the concerns people genuinely have.
The cost of uncontrolled migration includes economic impacts as well as cultural and material impacts on society. People sometimes disapprove of the way it is put across. You go around the doorsteps and hear “got to stop the boats”. People do not want it. That is what they tell you.
They say it at local level and to some degree they will vote for a national party’s identity at local level. In West Northamptonshire all parties agree with the stance that the use of hotels for that purpose is inappropriate and needs to stop.
Cllr Arnull lived in Canning Town while working on the 2012 London Olympics and says cooking has always been his sanctuary.
Having worked with top London chefs, he now cooks privately for himself and friends creating high-end, Michelin-star meals. He describes it as his way to unwind.
C&E: If you could cook a meal for Nigel Farage and the leaders of other central government parties, what would you cook and why? MA: I would go traditional. The best of British beef with all the trimmings. I would start the conversation over a good red wine and end with a cigar.
C&E: And a 20 pack of cigarettes? MA: I think a lot of people like Nigel because he is the working man’s hero.
Cllr Arnull, an avid fan of country music and rugby, first fell in love with the sport while working at the Millennium Stadium and enjoys Welsh rugby.
He says that safe, steady stewardship of local government and maintaining transparency at every stage will give people confidence that he is the right person for the job.
Cllr Arnull believes the goal is to ensure homes meet decent standards, improve tenant engagement and strengthen communication between the community and the council.
With the current direction of central government, the challenge, he says, is keeping local government afloat, avoiding financial hardship and ensuring stability.
“When we took office in May the council’s reputation was not high. Since then we have been moving it in the right direction, maintaining steady governance in uncertain times.”
Cllr Arnull’s group has opted out of diversity and inclusion training, saying, “The general feeling is that we do not need diversity training to treat people equally.
It is about treating people on merit alone and not making specific hires just to tick boxes…that’s why at Christmas I will be out with the refuse collectors and grounds workers having a coffee and a mince pie at half past six because I care about the workforce. Everyone will be treated and respected equally.”
As West Northamptonshire faces another year of financial strain and political change, Cllr Arnull’s challenge now is to prove that disruption can deliver and that his version of “steady stewardship” is more than just a promise.
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Cllr Mark Arnull took over as Reform leader at West Northants Council in May following a historical local election Photo: Harry Relf