Reform leader claims he was offered a “very powerful” role if he backed the Lib Dems

The allegation emerged on social media following criticism from the Liberal Democrat group, which accused the Conservatives of entering a “sneaky Conservative-Reform deal” to retain control of Hampshire County Council.

At the council’s annual general meeting on May 21, the Conservatives maintained control after Reform UK councillors abstained during the vote, alongside support from independent councillors. Following the meeting, Reform UK councillors were appointed to chair several scrutiny committees.

The appointments prompted accusations from the Liberal Democrats of a coalition between the Conservatives and Reform UK, despite previous Conservative election campaigning centred on pledges to “keep Reform out of the council”.

Responding to the criticism, Reform UK group leader Cllr George Madgwick said the Liberal Democrats had themselves approached him after the local elections to discuss a possible deal.

According to Cllr Madgwick, who is also a Portsmouth city councillor, Liberal Democrat group leader Cllr Keith House offered Reform UK a seat on the combined authority in return for helping the Liberal Democrats take control of the council.

On social media, Cllr Madgwick said: “The first day when I was on the council, at the civic offices in Winchester, I was approached by the Liberal Democrat leader, Cllr Keith House, who offered me a deal to support the Liberals to run the council.

“So, when the Liberals turn around saying ‘Vote Tories and get Reform’ is utter rubbish, it is the Liberals who approached me to do a deal.

“Not only that, I told him what our red line would be, and I said our red line would be that we want a seat on the combined authority. He went away for a couple of hours, returned back and said ‘yes, the Liberal Democrats are happy to offer Reform UK a seat on the combined authority’.

“He had permission, he said, to do a deal on behalf of the Liberal Democrats.

“When the Liberal Democrats are telling you online that they would never do a deal with Reform UK, do not believe them for a second because they did.”

Cllr Madgwick added that he had evidence to support his claims.

Addressing the committee appointments, he also rejected suggestions that Reform UK had entered into a coalition with the Conservatives.

He said: “The Conservatives and Reform are not working together in any capacity whatsoever. The Conservatives are running the council and Reform are scrutinising. We chair all scrutiny and select committee panels.

“By no means at all is there a coalition between the Conservatives and Reform. It wouldn’t happen, it wouldn’t be done, it wouldn’t be agreed.

“Liberal Democrats, just remember you were the ones that approached Reform UK for a deal to put you in power.”

However, Cllr House accused Reform UK of attempting to “distract” from its “dodgy” agreement with the Conservatives.

Cllr House said: “Reform are trying to distract from their dodgy deal with the Conservatives. The Liberal Democrats made clear that, as no party had won the election, all parties should be represented in taking local government reorganisation and devolution forward.

“That offer was rejected by the Conservatives and Reform, who wanted business as usual rather than change at Hampshire.”