Wayne Titley, a newly elected Reform UK councillor, has resigned just days after his victory in Staffordshire. He stepped down following backlash over a social media post where he suggested using the Royal Navy to sink small boats crossing the Channel.
Titley, who won the Eccleshall and Gnosall seat by just 27 votes, quit his role “for personal reasons,” Staffordshire County Council confirmed.
💥 The Post That Sparked Outrage
Titley’s controversial post, shared in March, described illegal Channel crossings as a “full-blown invasion.” He wrote, “Why they don’t position the navy so as the big boats leave the shoreline they intercept them and thunder them back using a volley of gun fire aimed at sinking them?”
🗣️ Party Stands by Titley
A Reform UK spokesman said, “It’s disappointing that the level of abuse Wayne and his family have been receiving has meant that he is no longer able to carry on as a councillor.”
The party added, “Wayne would have made an excellent champion for the people of Eccleshall and Gnosall, and we wish him well for the future. We are now getting ready to contest the by-election and ensure local people have a strong Reform voice to represent them.”
🗳️ A Rocky Start for Reform UK
Titley’s resignation comes amid reports that several Reform candidates have posted racist and Islamophobic content online. This has sparked fresh scrutiny of the party’s vetting process as it tries to establish itself as a major political force.
