Unity takes over as main Opposition group on Wakefield Council

Unity, led by Hemsworth councillor Jakob Williamson, has displaced the Conservative and Independent group as the main opponents to Labour, the local authority has confirmed.

The move comes after Reform UK councillor Nick Farmer this week left the Conservative and Independents.

The group formed in May 2024 and also included Conservative councillor and leader Nadeem Ahmed and Nadiah Sharp, Independent councillor for Wrenthorpe and Outwood West.

Coun Farmer, who has represented Ossett for almost 12 years, left the Conservative Party to join Reform in June last year but remained a member of the group until this week.

Coun Farmer told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “I have been instructed by Reform that they no longer want me grouped with any other political party.

“I would like to pass on my thanks to councillors Ahmed and Sharp. I have no issues with them. Working with them during the past couple of years has been fantastic.”

The resignation means Unity, which also includes Stan Bates, councillor for South Elmsall and South Kirkby, and Pete Girt, who represents Knottingley, is now the largest opposition group in the council chamber.

A statement issued by Unity said: “As the main opposition group, Unity stands for everything Labour has abandoned: council-owned housing, good jobs and training, tackling poverty and public services run for the many.

“Wakefield need a change of direction. We need to get back to basics and we need a council that genuinely works for its residents.

“Unity is ready to lead that change and we will hold Labour to account every step of the way.”

Unity was formed in August last year, five months after Coun Williamson and Coun Bates quit Labour in protest over the council’s budget proposals for the 2025/26 financial year.

Coun Girt was previously leader of the Liberal Democrat group before leaving the party last March, saying he had become “very unhappy” with the party

A statement issued at the time of the group’s formation said: “As councillors representing some of the most deprived wards in the district we have come together and formed a new group on Wakefield Council – Unity.

“Like most in our district, we come from ordinary backgrounds – we have worked as bus drivers, mechanics, and some of us are veterans.

“We understand the struggles of everyday life because we face them ourselves.

“We know what it is like to choose between eating and heating, how hard it is to find an affordable place to live, and how disconnected the council is from us all.

“We will be fighting for policies to improve our working class communities.”

Coun Ahmed, who represents Wakefield South, had been reinstated as opposition leader following the local elections in May 2023.

He had previously been leader of the Tory group from 2014 until July 2021, when he resigned following a vote of no confidence.

Gillian Marshall, the council’s chief legal officer, said: “The Unity group has three members which means they are now the largest group of opposition councillors and are the main opposition group.

“A report is being taken to the meeting of full council on January 28 which will outline any changes to the committees.”

Labour continues to maintain a firm control of the council, holding 51 of 63 seats.

In addition to the three Unity members, there are four independent councillors, two Conservatives, two Liberal Democrats, plus one Reform UK member.