Labour accused of changing rules to 'silence' Reform UK DanStoke-on-Trent City Council has changed its rulesView Image Daniel Jellyman (Image: STOKE SENTINEL)Labour has been accused of being 'undemocratic' after changing council rules so they can choose committee chairs. ‌They say this process of 'musical chairs' has taken up officer time while also destabilising the council's committee system. But opposition parties claim Labour's move was designed specifically to prevent the council's growing Reform group being allocated a committee chair position. Reform councillor Luke Shenton accused Labour of wanting to 'silence' opposition parties. ‌He said: "The only reason they're changing this now is because the Reform group was eligible for a chair position for the first time.

Source: Daily Mirror February 28, 2026 20:06 UTC