Another Conservative councillor in Stoke-on-Trent has defected to Reform UK.

Carl Edwards, who represents Baddeley, Milton and Norton, has become Reform's fifth elected member on Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

All but one of the five Reform city councillors was elected as a Tory, and the Reform group is led by former Conservative group leader Dan Jellyman.

Cllr Edwards said he made the decision to defect due to the Conservatives' record on issues such as Brexit, levelling up and the plan to cut PCSO evening shifts in Staffordshire.

This defection leaves the Conservative group on the city council with eight members.

Cllr Edwards said: "I had previously joined the Conservatives to get Brexit done and to level up communities like Stoke-on-Trent. However, like so many loyal members and voters, I've watched promise after promise broken.

"Brexit was never properly delivered, levelling up became an empty slogan, and now locally the Conservatives are cutting the hours our PCSOs spend on the beat, leaving communities less safe.

"Today I am proud to be joining Reform UK as I believe it is the only party serious about fixing the problems facing our country. It is a party that recognises Britain is broken and is offering the bold, common sense plan needed to put it right."

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A Reform UK spokesperson said: "We are delighted to welcome Carl to Reform UK. He is an excellent addition to our growing team in Stoke-on-Trent as we build towards the May elections."

Conservative group leader Lorraine Beardmore said: "This decision has come as a shock and it's disappointing that Carl no longer feels the national party is aligned with his beliefs.

"I respect his decision and wish him well for the future. Myself and the group thank him for his service as a Conservative cllr, he will be missed."

A total of seven city councillors have now changed their political allegiance since the last elections in 2023. The authority is controlled by the Labour group, which has 27 councillors.