Martin Murray has resigned as Leader of Staffordshire County Council, with Hayley Coles taking over following the third Reform UK leadership departure in less than a year.
What’s new: Martin Murray has resigned as Leader of Staffordshire County Council and leader of the Reform UK group.
What’s next: Hayley Coles has been selected as the new Reform UK group leader and will serve as Acting Leader of the Council until December, when she is expected to be confirmed in the role.
The big picture: Murray’s departure is the third change at the top of Staffordshire’s Reform UK group in less than a year, following the departures of Ian Cooper and Chris Large.
Councillor Martin Murray has announced his resignation as Leader of Staffordshire County Council and leader of its Reform UK group.
The Cannock Town councillor announced his decision on Tuesday 27 October, saying he had reached the decision following "careful consideration" and believed stepping down was in the best interests of Staffordshire, its residents and the county council.
Murray said:
“Following careful consideration, I have concluded that it is in the best interests of Staffordshire, our residents and this County Council for me to step down as Leader of Staffordshire County Council and Leader of the Reform UK Group. This was a difficult decision, but the interests of Staffordshire, the Council and those we serve must come first.”
No specific reason for his resignation was given.
His departure marks another change at the top of the Reform UK administration at Staffordshire County Council.
Ian Cooper resigned as council leader in December 2025. Chris Large subsequently became Reform UK group leader before stepping down from that position and his role as Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources. Murray was later selected as Reform UK group leader and formally became Leader of Staffordshire County Council in March 2026.
Conservative councillor raises concerns over leadership changes
Conservative group leader Councillor Philip White has questioned the repeated changes in leadership since Reform UK took control of Staffordshire County Council in May 2025.
Speaking to ITV News Central, he said:
"I wish Martin Murray well for the future but it is deeply concerning that Staffordshire County Council - one of the largest local authorities in the country is now on to its fourth Reform UK leader in a year and a half,"
The leadership changes began with Ian Cooper's resignation in December 2025, followed by Chris Large stepping down as Reform UK group leader in January 2026. Martin Murray was subsequently appointed council leader in March before announcing his resignation in October.
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