**Reform UK Turmoil: Leader Resigns Amid Toxic Party Divisions**

In a shocking turn of events, Guy Aston, the leader of Reform UK on Doncaster Council, has resigned due to receiving ”vitriolic texts” that he described as bordering on abuse from his own party members. This internal conflict was ignited by Aston’s support for measures to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport, which sparked considerable disagreement within the party.

After the controversial statement made in tandem with the Labour Mayor of Doncaster, where Aston suggested borrowing £57 million for the airport’s reopening, his peers expressed outrage, accusing him of compromising the party’s values by aligning with Labour. Disparate views led to tensions, culminating in Aston’s attempts to oust Reform UK councillor Jason Charity from his chair of the authority’s audit committee, an endeavor that was rejected by the council during their meeting.

Following this conflict, Aston received an avalanche of negative messages from colleagues, triggering his email to fellow councillors noting his disappointment:

“While I would expect such behaviour from the extreme wing of our opponents, it is disappointing to see it coming from my own side. I believed Reform was better than this. Clearly, I was mistaken.”

Additionally, Irwen Martin announced his resignation as local branch chairman of Reform UK, with Nicola Brown, another prominent member, also resigning to sit as an Independent. A spokesperson from Reform UK’s national headquarters acknowledged Aston’s contributions to the party but confirmed that Karl Hughes would take over as interim leader while they search for a new group head.

This series of resignations highlights the growing rifts within Reform UK, as both members and leaders grapple with differing ideologies and the party’s future direction.