A Norfolk council may soon have a new political group after two councillors quit the Tories.
Peter Hodson and Julian Kirk, who had been part of the Conservative group at West Norfolk Council, are hoping to set up a Reform faction following the split.
Currently, the pair are sitting as independents, separate from the ruling independent coalition group, which has been in power since 2023.
Mr Hodson, who represents Denver ward, said: "We have nothing against the group at all but I just feel I am probably more in line with Reform UK's policies rather than Conservatives."
He says the pair are in the early stages of exploring the creation of a Reform group at the council, which would be the first to form at a Norfolk council.
Both councillors represent wards in the Fens, with Mr Kirk being the member for the Walpoles and Walsoken.
However, they are not the first Tories to defect to Nigel Farage's party and will follow in the footsteps of Robin Hunter-Clarke - a Breckland councillor - who switched last month.
Brian Long, leader of the Conservative group at WNC, said: "The pair have indicated their allegiances lie with Reform but they have said they will still sit on the same side of the chamber as the Conservatives and will likely vote with us."
Reform are currently surging in the polls, with some research indicating support for Nigel Farage's party has overtaken Labour.
However, so far the party has failed to make much ground by winning at council by-elections across the country.
They have won only 11 seats from 196 by-elections since the general election in July.
But there have been a number of Tory defectors joining its ranks.
Alistair Beales, leader of West Norfolk Council believes the pair should face a by-election to ensure their switch to Reform is what voters want.
He said: "My view has always been, if you change the party you represent, you should stand for re-election. You should let voters have their say again."
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