Why are the Conservatives and Independents working with Reform in Ross?

A letter from Councillor Terry James, leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Herefordshire Council.

We are all familiar with “greenwashing”, where organisations attempt to improve their public image through association with environmental causes. Coalition washing is similar. It is where political parties attempt to soften or sanitise their reputation through alliances with others who appear more moderate or respectable.

That is why I was surprised to see a coalition formed in Ross-on-Wye involving two Conservatives, four Independents 4 Herefordshire and a Reform councillor.

Of course, local government often requires people to work together. But residents are entitled to ask whether this arrangement is about practical cooperation or whether it is helping Reform UK present itself as moderate, mainstream and easy to work with ahead of future elections.

That should concern people across Herefordshire.

Reform nationally thrives on grievance politics, division and simplistic answers to complex problems. Yet by associating themselves with Independents and Conservatives locally, they gain something politically valuable, legitimacy.

The obvious question now is whether this is simply a local arrangement, or a glimpse of what could happen after next year’s county elections.

Would the leader of Independents 4 Herefordshire, Councillor Liz Harvey, be prepared to enter a coalition with Reform if the numbers suited? Would Conservative leader Councillor Jonathan Lester do the same?

And perhaps more importantly, are they even aware members of their groups have already entered such an arrangement in Ross-on-Wye? If they are aware, do they endorse it?

At the moment it all feels rather quiet, almost as though it is being allowed to rumble on in the hope nobody notices. But people are noticing.

There is an old story about a scorpion asking a frog to carry him across a river. Halfway across, the scorpion stings the frog. “Why did you do that?” asks the frog. “Now we’ll both drown.”

The scorpion replies: “I can’t help it. It’s in my nature.”

Those engaging in coalition washing may believe they are simply making practical political arrangements. But they should think carefully about what, and who they are helping to normalise.

The LibDems stand for bringing people together, fighting for local people and championing the environment. We need your support to take on Reform.