Bridlington ERYC councillor Cllr Maria Bowtell, who represents the Central and Old Town ward, has announced her decision to resign from her position as Interim Branch Chairman for Bridlington and the Wolds Reform UK party.
However, Maria says she will continue her work as an Independent Councillor on the area that’s he represents.
Speaking to the Echo, Maria said: “The decision I have taken allows me more time in which I am going to enjoy playing a bigger role in local community initiatives (such as the Armed Forces Day and Vintage Festival).
“I’m looking forward to refocusing more of my efforts on local issues as a Ward councillor for Bridlington Central and Old Town.”
In a letter to the Reform Party Leader sent on March 16 Maria expressed her concerns stating… ‘I have poured my heart and soul into the party, working tirelessly to support its growth and vision. However, I have increasingly felt unsupported and abandoned in my role.’
Maria’s letter in full.
Dear Mr. Farage,
It is with a heavy heart that I write to formally resign from my position as Interim Branch Chairman for Bridlington and the Wolds Reform UK, effective immediately. After much reflection, I have also decided to inform East Riding of Yorkshire Council of my intention to serve out the remainder of my term as an Independent Councillor, allowing me to continue representing my ward residents to the best of my ability.
I joined Reform UK in March 2024, drawn by its policies and my trust in the leadership. Since then, I have poured my heart and soul into the party, working tirelessly to support its growth and vision. However, I have increasingly felt unsupported and abandoned in my role. I have been asked to deliver speeches with little notice and no preparation, while my attempts to seek clarity and support from senior party members have been dismissed or ignored.
Back in August 2024, I raised concerns with senior leadership about the need to prepare for the upcoming Mayoral elections not just local council seats. I was reassured with promises such as “you’ll have a candidate before Christmas,” yet more than half of our Mayoral candidates—are still to be announced just over a week before nomination paperwork will be due. This chaotic lack of foresight was starkly evident when our candidate, Luke Campbell, was named for Hull without an agent or any prior preparation, despite the party knowing his identity weeks in advance. No communication with elected members or county organisers, no tables for how people could support or any plan in sight, although I understand how busy and stretched your schedule is, you leaving the venue before even supporting our candidate in the press conference felt like a reflection of how little care was given to this area. I sincerely wish Luke, who strikes me as a decent individual, the very best in his campaign.
In August, I asked our Party Chairman what support would be provided to existing and prospective Councillors and whether a Councillors’ Association was in development. I received no meaningful response until over seven months later, when I was abruptly asked to chair this initiative and draft group rules—with less than eight weeks before local elections where we could potentially secure majorities. While I initially tolerated these shortcomings, attributing them to the rapid scaling of the party, my patience has since worn thin.
What I cannot abide is the apparent disregard for the hardworking and hopeful supporters who attend rallies, distribute leaflets, and champion Reform UK’s message. Nor can I ignore what I perceive as a lack of integrity and resolve within our leadership.
The treatment of Rupert Lowe, in my view, crystallised many of these concerns and proved to be the final straw. I no longer trust our chairman has the leadership qualities or characteristics I would like to serve under.
I want to be a part of a party with substance and depth of policy and the character to see it through.
I wish Reform UK’s candidates and supporters well this May. Unless a viable alternative emerges to the uninspiring options currently on offer, I will continue to lend my support and vote—albeit out of necessity rather than enthusiasm.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve Reform UK over the past year. I hope the party can address these issues and deliver on the promise that inspired me to join in the first place.
Yours sincerely,
Maria Bowtell
Interim Branch Chairman (Former), Bridlington and the Wolds Reform UK
Councillor, Bridlington and the Wolds, East Riding of Yorkshire Council
