Overview

• Wayne Titley resigned less than two weeks after being elected as a Reform UK councillor for Eccleshall and Gnosall in Staffordshire.
• The resignation followed the resurfacing of a social media post where Titley suggested using naval gunfire to intercept and sink boats involved in illegal crossings.
• Staffordshire County Council has announced a by-election to fill the vacancy in the Eccleshall and Gnosall ward.
• Reform UK, which won 49 of 62 seats in Staffordshire's local elections, faces scrutiny over candidate vetting and public backlash against inflammatory rhetoric.
• The party plans to defend the seat in the upcoming by-election as it navigates challenges transitioning from campaign success to governance.