Former Stoke-on-Trent MP Jonathan Gullis is set to become the new leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council following Reform UK's election win.

Reform UK took 27 of the 44 seats on the borough council in last week's local elections, ending nine years of Conservative rule on the authority.

At a group meeting on Thursday evening, the Reform councillors elected Cllr Gullis as their leader. He will be formally elected as council leader at the annual council meeting on Wednesday, 20 May, succeeding Conservative Simon Tagg.

Cllr Gullis previously served as Conservative MP for Stoke-on-Trent North between 2019 and 2024, gaining a national reputation as an outspoken supporter of Brexit.

After losing his seat in the 2024 general election, he subsequently became a town councillor in Kidsgrove, and served as the town's mayor.

Last year he defected to Reform – one of a number of Stoke-on-Trent Conservatives to make the move.

Cllr Gullis was one of three Reform councillors elected in the Kidsgrove and Ravenscliffe ward in last week's all-out elections.

He said: "I am grateful to my colleagues for placing their trust in me to lead the Reform UK group on Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council. The 7th May was a truly historic evening for our borough.

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"The people of Newcastle-under-Lyme voted for change, and we understand the responsibility they have placed on our shoulders.

"As a group, we are determined to repay that trust by delivering bold ideas that restore pride in our communities. That means improving our parks so families have safe and enjoyable spaces to use, investing in our high streets, holding rogue and absent landlords to account, using every legal power available to tackle anti-social behaviour, and working with our local colleges and universities to help create skilled, well-paid jobs locally.

"We will also continue to fight tirelessly for justice over Walleys Quarry, which has caused misery for residents across our borough."

The Reform group also chose Knutton councillor and former Stoke City striker Graham Shaw as deputy group leader. Cllr Shaw had two spells with the Potters in the 1980s and 1990s, racking up more than 160 appearances for the club

Cllr Shaw said: "I am very proud to have been elected deputy group leader of the Reform UK group on Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council.

"This borough is my home. I was born here, I grew up here, I have worked here, and I care deeply about the people and communities that make Newcastle-under-Lyme such a special place.

"I have seen with my own eyes how parts of our area have been allowed to decline. People are fed up with being ignored. They want safer streets, stronger communities, better local services, pride back in our town and proper action on the issues that affect their daily lives.

"I have been proud to pull on a Stoke City shirt, but serving the people of Knutton and Newcastle-under-Lyme is every bit as big an honour. I will give it everything I have."

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Councillor Olivia Wozny, who also represents Kidsgrove and Ravenscliffe, will serve as the Reform group's secretary. Cabinet positions are set to be filled in the coming days.