A FORMER Conservative councillor and the previous cabinet member for climate change has defected to the Reform party.
Rob Clinton, the former councillor for Quarry Bank and Dudley Wood, has joined the Reform Party ahead of next year’s local elections.
Dr Clinton, who is now a “local campaigner” for Wollaston and Stourbridge Town, joined the rival political party’s Halesowen branch at the start of the month.
Posting on social media, Halesowen Reform UK said: “We’re delighted to announce that former Quarry Bank & Dudley Wood Councillor Robert Clinton has joined Reform UK.
“Rob brings with him valuable experience as a dedicated and hard-working councillor for his community, and we’re confident he will make a strong contribution in the months ahead.
“Welcome aboard, Rob.”
Prior to the announcement on November 1, Dr Clinton had been working alongside Tory campaigner, Steve Hancock, as a duo of self-proclaimed “antisocial behaviour champions” in Stourbridge town centre, clearing graffiti from the underpasses and generally setting out to tidy up the town.
Dr Clinton was first elected as a Tory representative for Dudley Wood and Quarry Bank in 2021 and went on to be appointed cabinet member for climate change in 2022.
He lost his seat in the last all-out local election in 2024.
His deflection comes as Dudley prepares for its first bout of local elections since, with 2025 having been a “fallow year”.
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