The Cornish far-right has split further, as defecting councillor Bruce Craze, who represents Four Lanes, Beacon and Troon, seeks shelter in the further-right Restore Britain. In a public statement, Councillor Craze issued a scathing criticism of Reform UK’s Cornwall Council group. The Reform group, now reduced to 20 councillors, has been marred by numerous scandals since its election in 2025, when it secured 28 seats.

He joins his mid-Cornwall neighbour, Roger Tarrant, councillor for Redruth North, as the latest defector to Restore. Tarrant, the former deputy leader of the council’s Reform group, defected to Restore in April and has since become a prominent advocate for the party on social media. Though the two parties share much in the way of policy, campaign groups have warned about the role Restore is playing in the “re-racialisation” of British political discourse.

In a public statement explaining his reasons for leaving Reform, Craze stated:

“Locally I have been lucky and proud to work with amazing colleagues who work hard for their area and the people they represent, but I have become disillusioned with the Reform UK group at Cornwall Council. The group has been bitterly divided, with councillors putting their egos and aspirations before the people of Cornwall and even though things have quietened now, it would only take a spark for the flames of division to flare again.

“But, moreover, the group was not prepared – it pushes forward motions which have not been thought through regarding costings or workability, simply anything that looks good for social media. It is a group which is struggling with the role of opposition, let alone a future administration.”

In a video released on Restore Britain’s Instagram, Tarrant and Craze appear together. When asked why he decided to quit Reform UK, Craze said:

“Over time, we have seen for its successes, but it has weakened on its policies, becoming more and more like the failed Conservative administration we’ve had previously.

“More than that, Restore is paving the way forward for this country, creating strong policies that lead to a better tomorrow for Britain and the people of Britain.”

In a statement to Local Democracy Reporter Lee Trewhela, Reform group leader Cllr Paul Ashton claimed the resignation “comes shortly after he was called into a meeting with the whip and deputy leader to discuss his ongoing poor performance as a councillor and lack of commitment to Reform UK generally.” Ashton labelled his defection as a “betrayal” of Craze’s ward residents and Reform volunteers.

Image Via: Facebook, Restore Britain.