Cllr Paul Gadd, who also represents Saffron Walden as our Essex County Council representative, and someone who had acted as de facto leader of both We Are Residents and its successor Residents for Uttlesford on the Town Council, has surprisingly walked out on Saffron Walden Town Council this week, giving up his seat and causing a by-election.

He is the third R4U Town Councillor this term to walk away, and there will now be further taxpayer money spent on a by-election in Audley Ward. Residents for Uttlesford have now had more Councillors resign from Saffron Walden Town Council than any other party in the past 20 years. There have now been by-elections in all three wards due to resignations.

This news comes hot on the heels of three Residents for Uttlesford Councillors defecting to Reform UK at Uttlesford District Council, very much giving the impression of R4U in a state of turmoil. There are rumours of more defections to come, R4U, having now lost overall control of Uttlesford District Council. R4U had also previously lost 3 Councillors to the Green Party.  

Saffron Walden Town Council, however, retains a strong R4U majority, with only opposition from Labour and Reform.