Councillor John Cook-Woodman has represented the Highbridge and Burnham South division continuously since 2009
Daniel Mumby and Local Democracy Reporter
11:12, 14 Jan 2026
A senior Conservative councillor has become the latest Somerset political figure to defect to Reform UK.
Councillor John Cook-Woodman has represented the Highbridge and Burnham South division continuously since 2009, first on Somerset County Council and latterly on Somerset Council.
Mr Cook-Woodman was a key figure in the previous Conservative administration at County Hall, serving as cabinet member for highways and transport between 2017 and the local elections in May 2022.
He announced on Wednesday morning (January 14) that he had left the Tories to join Reform UK, becoming the party's third representative on Somerset Council alongside Marcus Barr (Wellington) and group leader Bente Height (Shepton Mallet).
Mr Cook-Woodman (previously Woodman) has lived in Somerset most of his life, with his family operating a shoemaking business in Burnham-on-Sea for 150 years.
Outside of politics, he is a self employed electrician and a landlord.
He said: "I am joining Reform UK today [January 14] for one simple reason. I absolutely believe that Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, is best placed to bring prosperity, opportunity, security, and law and order to our nation.
"I will strive to deliver this on a local level to the people of Somerset. It is important that we all play our part in making this the best country it can possibly be and therefore it is important that I also play my part.
"I look forward to working alongside the other Reform UK councillors to improve the local transport, facilities and restore hope back to residents of the Highbridge and Burnham South division."
Ms Height (who joined Reform UK in January 2025 after leaving the Tories) said: "I am delighted that the Reform UK group on Somerset Council will be joined by Councillor John Cook-Woodman.
"I look forward to working with him in serving the people of Somerset."
A spokesperson for Reform UK added: "We are very pleased to welcome John to Reform UK.
"He is a valued member of the Somerset community and an excellent addition to our growing team the South West."
In light of his defection, Mr Cook-Woodman will have to immediately give up his post as shadow portfolio holder for economic development, planning and assets.
In addition to representing his division, he currently serves on the council's climate and place scrutiny committee and its pension fund committee.
He is also a member of the Burnham local community network (which brings local councillors together with voluntary organisations to manage local projects) and the Hinkley Point C monitoring group.
Mr Cook-Woodman's defection leaves the Liberal Democrats the largest party on the council, with 62 out of 110 seats.
The Conservatives remain the official opposition with 31 seats, with the Greens and Labour holding five seats each, four seats being held by independents or non-aligned councillors and Reform UK holding three seats.
The council's constitution stipulates that the make-up of its various committees must reflect the political make-up of the council – meaning that Mr Cook-Woodman may have to give up some of his committee responsibilities.
A decision on this will be taken by the council's monitoring officers before the next full council meeting, due to be held on February 25.