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Jack McGlenen
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Jack McGlenen

Durham County Council councillor WHO left Independent status for the UK Social Democratic Party.

Jack McGlenen, elected to Durham County Council for Reform UK in May 2025, now sits for the Social Democratic Party; Open Council Data logged the switch on 20 August 2026.

Last refreshed: 7 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic

Timeline for Jack McGlenen

#18 15 Sept
#16 20 Aug

Moved from independent to the UK Social Democratic Party

UK Local Elections 2026: Durham councillor joins UK Social Democratic Party
View full timeline →

Background

Jack McGlenen is the Durham County Council member for Dalton and Dawdon. Durham's member list, checked on 7 October 2026, records him as a Social Democratic Party councillor.

Voters elected him for Reform UK on 1 May 2025. He then sat as an Independent before joining the Social Democratic Party, a change Open Council Data logged on 20 August 2026. No by-election followed, because a councillor WHO changes party keeps the seat.

He is one of several councillors elected for Reform in Durham WHO have left its group. By 7 October 2026 the council's list showed 50 Reform councillors, a bare majority of the 98-seat chamber.

Key Issues
Durham politics

McGlenen leaves Reform UK

McGlenen won Dalton and Dawdon on 1 May 2025 as a Reform UK candidate. Reform won 65 seats on the 98-member council that day. He later sat as an Independent, then joined the Social Democratic Party. Open Council Data recorded that change on 20 August 2026, the date its record was updated rather than a confirmed announcement date. His move triggered no by-election.

The council's own member list, checked on 7 October 2026, shows him as a Social Democratic Party councillor. By then Reform had 50 of the 98 seats, after Lyndsey Fox, Paul Sexton and Nicole Brown resigned on 15 September and Aaron Hillam left later that month.

Common Questions

Reference

Who is Jack McGlenen?
Was Jack McGlenen elected for Reform UK?
Yes. He won Dalton and Dawdon for Reform UK on 1 May 2025, before leaving the party.Source: Democracy Club
Which party is Jack McGlenen in?
The Social Democratic Party. He was elected for Reform UK in May 2025, sat as an Independent, then joined the SDP; Durham County Council's member list showed him as SDP on 7 October 2026.Source: Durham County Council
When was Jack McGlenen elected?
Voters elected Jack McGlenen to Durham County Council on 1 May 2025.Source: Democracy Club
Which ward does Jack McGlenen represent?
Dalton and Dawdon, a division of Durham County Council.Source: Durham County Council
Source Material