Thanks for Following ReformWatch – Here’s Everything So Far!
Hello there!
First off, thank you so much for following ReformWatch. It means the world to know people care about keeping local politics transparent and honest.
I’ve been adding so many updates lately that I’ve honestly lost track of what’s new myself — it feels like there’s a seemingly endless stream of posts, investigations, and FOI results. So instead of trying to remember what’s latest, I thought I’d share a full breakdown of everything that’s live on the site so far. Each link below will take you straight to the full piece if you’d like to read more!
✅ Councillor Andrew Harrison – Sharing Islamophobic Misinformation
Cllr. Andrew Harrison shared a video falsely claiming Sharia Law is coming “one council at a time.” In follow-up emails, he admitted Sharia has no legal standing here but still chose to post it, spreading unfounded fear.
✅ Reform UK Seaham – Week 4 Update and the Language of Division
An analysis of Reform UK Seaham’s update, looking at how their messaging divides people into “insiders” and “outsiders.” It’s not just what’s said, but how it’s said — often painting some groups as “the problem.”
✅ “Criticism Isn’t Evil” – A Response to Reform UK Seaham
A response to a local councillor calling critics “evil.” This piece argues that questioning your representatives isn’t “sniping” — it’s democracy in action.
✅ Debunking Darren Grimes’ Misleading Claims
A fact-check of Cllr. Darren Grimes’ claim that asylum seekers get council housing “over our own.” FOI data shows asylum seekers aren’t given council houses in Durham, proving the claim false.
✅ Renaming of Council Departments
Looks into why Durham County Council renamed departments to drop words like “Climate Change” and “Equality.” An FOI request is underway to find out who decided this, why, and how much it cost.
✅ Removal of Pride and Ukrainian Flags
After Reform UK took control, the Pride and Ukrainian flags were removed from County Hall without public consultation. An FOI revealed this was an election pledge — but it’s raised questions about equality policies.
✅ Fact-Checking Reform UK’s Asylum Claims
Reform UK claimed they’d secured a ban on new asylum seeker accommodation in County Durham. This piece unpacks the claim, showing it was actually a Home Office pause — not a council ban. More FOI responses are pending.
✅ Complaint Against Cllr. Robert Potts Over Foreign Aid Post
Details a complaint against Cllr. Robert Potts for a Facebook post criticising UK foreign aid to Syria and using an AI-generated image of a Black man pushing a wheelbarrow of cash. The article raises concerns about racial stereotyping, misinformation, and possible breaches of the council’s code of conduct.
✅ Cllr. Andrew Harrison and the Miners’ Gala Post
Covers Cllr. Harrison’s Facebook post calling the Durham Miners’ Gala a “propaganda platform for HAMAS.” The article examines potential defamation, community division, Islamophobia, and inflammatory language. A formal complaint has been submitted about his post.
Thanks again for reading and for being part of this community. It’s a lot to keep up with — but together we’re making sure important issues don’t slip through the cracks!
Best wishes,
N