Dan Thomas, who led the borough as a Conservative from 2019 to 2022 but joined Reform UK earlier this year, announced his resignation from the council today reports David Floyd

A former leader of Barnet Council has announced his resignation from the council to spend more time with his family in South Wales.

Dan Thomas, who led the council as a Conservative between 2019 and 2022, said today that he was quitting his role as Reform UK councillor for Finchley Church End ward having moved away from the borough.

He said: “In 2024, I moved away from Barnet so that my wife and I can raise our young sons in the countryside and live closer to our families in South Wales. I was asked to avoid an expensive and disruptive by-election and so I continued to attend council meetings and assist residents.

“With a desire to start 2026 afresh, I am today stepping down from Barnet Council. As the next council elections are less than six months away, a by-election will be avoided.

“I would like to thank everyone I’ve worked with over the last 19 years as a councillor, and for the support I received whilst leader of the council.”

Cllr Thomas, whose defeat in 2022 saw Labour form its first ever majority administration in the borough, left the Conservatives to join Reform UK earlier this year.

He added: “It has been an honour to serve Finchley and I am particularly proud of the personal contribution I made to cutting council tax and keeping it low for over a decade, whilst resident satisfaction with council services improved. I also look back with pride on the role I played in the successful regeneration of council estates, delivery of new housing and community facilities and a well-managed council budget.

“I wish the people of Barnet and Barnet Council all the very best for 2026 and beyond.”

It is not known whether Cllr Thomas intends to continue his political career in his new location, however recent opinion polls have suggested Reform UK is on course to win a large number of seats in the Senedd at next year’s Welsh elections.

Responding to the news, chairman of Reform UK Barnet, Cllr Mark Shooter told Barnet Post: “Dan has been a dedicated and valued servant to Barnet for many years, including his time as former leader of Barnet Council, and I thank him sincerely for the commitment and hard work he has shown on behalf of residents.

“For family reasons, Dan has now moved to an area outside London. He intends to continue supporting Reform and will remain available to provide advice and support to Reform in Barnet.

“Dan rightly felt it would not be appropriate to occupy a council seat while living a significant distance away. He was never part of the 63 candidates we will be fielding in the May 2026 Barnet local council elections, and he has acted with integrity by stepping down once the relevant period had passed—avoiding an unnecessary by-election and an avoidable cost to taxpayers.

“I wish Dan and his family every success for the future.”

Former colleagues in the Conservative Party were less impressed by Cllr Thomas’s departure. Opposition leader Peter Zinkin, who took over from Cllr Thomas as leader of the Conservative group in 2024, noted that the resignation leaves Reform UK with only one representative at the town hall meaning they will no longer be able to form a group and hold positions on council committees.

Cllr Zinkin told Barnet Post: “Former Cllr Dan Thomas, having defected to Reform UK just months ago amid much fanfare about their “growing movement” in Barnet, has moved out of the borough, making it impossible for him to properly represent local residents. His belated resignation only highlights the fleeting nature of Reform’s presence in Barnet.

“This is the end of Reform UK’s group on Barnet Council. We look forward to the former Cllr refunding his councillor’s allowance paid to him during his prolonged absence from Barnet.

“Conservatives understand that stable and efficient local government is a team effort and not in the ownership of any individual Cllr particularly one who has abandoned the borough, changed parties and let down residents.

“Reform in Barnet is failing, this sorry tale demonstrates that in Barnet they are a transient protest that can’t deliver stable, committed representation for our community.”

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