One of Reform UK’s metro mayors has been accused of a ‘serious breach of trust’ after launching a new website promoting a ‘non-existent’ £1m community fund.
Hull and East Yorkshire mayor Luke Campbell said the fund would support initiatives ‘suggested by the people of our region’ and would deliver ‘a million pounds every year, for the next four years.’
However, Cllr Tom Astell, a Liberal Democrat member of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, took to X to accuse the mayor of misleading residents. He said a survey on the website was made to look like an official consultation authorised by the combined authority but warned personal data went instead to Reform UK.
He also questioned whether the community fund was backed by any money.
‘And the £1m fund? It doesn’t exist. It has never been through the Combined Authority Executive Board. No decision. No approval. It’s not even clear if the Combined Authority actually has the ability or monies available for such a fund.’
He added: 'This is a serious breach of trust. Public branding. Party data collection. A non-existent fund. Residents deserve honesty.’
The mayor’s office has been contacted for comment.
To learn more about Reform UK, check out: Reform UK: What Britain’s fastest rising party stands for and Reform UK’s ‘Doge’ witch-hunts will achieve little.
