"Reform Made It Impossible For Me To Stay": Sarah Morris Falls Out With Party Over Candidate Vetting
- Rufus Pickles
- Apr 16
- 1 min read
Reform UK’s 2024 general election candidate for Isle of Wight East says she is “heartbroken” after she was prevented from standing for the party as a local councillor.
Sarah Morris, who came second in the constituency last year with 7,104 votes, said she “failed” Reform UK’s vetting process and has not been given an explanation as to why.
She said the party has “changed beyond all recognition” and has “made it impossible” for her to stay.
The row follows top-level infighting at the anti-immigration party which has made national headlines over the last few months.
It has not however led to Ms Morris’s departure from politics.
On May 1, she will be standing as an independent candidate in the Lake North by-election.
The former chair of Reform UK Isle of Wight said:
“(Reform UK) failed me on vetting to stand as a local councillor after letting me stand at the general election.
“People have said it’s because their vetting policy is now stricter, and I assume I have failed because of that.
“I don’t know why I failed – I have repeatedly requested the reason and have been refused.
“I have applied for the information via the Information Commissioner’s Office and HQ ignored my request.
“I put a lot of time, money and effort into Reform, and to have it thrown back in my face is heartbreaking.”
Ms Morris added the party had “no mechanisms to ask questions or even make constructive criticism”.
As a prospective County Hall representative, she is pledging ‘regular local surgeries’ and to put Lake North’s interests above a ‘party agenda’.
Reform UK have been approached for comment.
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