Key Points
- Councillor Daniel Thomas, former Conservative leader of Barnet Council who defected to Reform UK, has announced his resignation from the council.
- He moved away from Barnet in 2024 to raise his young sons in the countryside and live closer to family in South Wales.
- Thomas continued serving remotely to avoid an expensive by-election, attending meetings and assisting residents.
- Resignation timed for early 2026 to avoid a by-election, as local elections are less than six months away.
- Served 19 years as councillor, including as leader, proud of cutting council tax, improving resident satisfaction, regenerating estates, delivering housing and facilities, and managing budgets.
- Expressed honour in serving Finchley and wished Barnet well for the future.
Councillor Daniel Thomas, the former Conservative leader of Barnet Council who defected to Reform UK, has resigned from his position after 19 years of service. He announced the decision today, citing a family move away from the area in 2024 to raise his young sons in the countryside and be closer to relatives in South Wales. Thomas had continued attending council meetings remotely to spare residents the cost of a by-election, but chose to step down now with local elections approaching in less than six months.
In a personal statement released today, as reported across multiple outlets including Barnet Local and Times Series, Cllr Thomas explained:
“In 2024, I moved away from Barnet so that my wife and I can raise our young sons in the countryside and live closer to our families in South Wales. I was asked to avoid an expensive and disruptive by-election and so I continued to attend council meetings and assist residents.”
He added: “With a desire to start 2026 afresh, I am today stepping down from Barnet Council. As the next council elections are less than six months away, a by-election will be avoided.”
Thomas reflected on his tenure with pride, stating:
“I would like to thank everyone I’ve worked with over the last 19 years as a councillor, and for the support I received whilst leader of the council. It has been an honour to serve Finchley.”
Who is Councillor Daniel Thomas?
As detailed in coverage by Rebecca Younger of Times Series, Councillor Daniel Thomas represented the Finchley Church End ward on Barnet Council since 2006. He rose to prominence as leader of the Conservative group from 2019 until 2022, steering the authority through a period of financial scrutiny and regeneration projects.
In May 2022, Thomas lost his leadership position amid internal party tensions, with Labour taking control of the council. Later that year, as reported by Freddie Honeyghan of MyLondon, he made headlines by defecting from the Conservatives to Reform UK, citing dissatisfaction with the party’s direction on issues like net zero policies and immigration.
Thomas’s political career in Barnet spanned nearly two decades, during which he championed low council tax and estate renewals. Barnet Local’s coverage notes his role in the “Future Barnet” programme, which aimed to outsource services for efficiency.
Why Did Daniel Thomas Leave Barnet?
Family priorities drove the move, according to Thomas’s own words. As quoted verbatim in the initial announcement picked up by Barnet Post and echoed by Josh White of Hampstead Highgate Express:
“In 2024, I moved away from Barnet so that my wife and I can raise our young sons in the countryside and live closer to our families in South Wales.”
This relocation occurred last year, yet Thomas maintained his duties. He revealed:
“I was asked to avoid an expensive and disruptive by-election and so I continued to attend council meetings and assist residents.”
Coverage from OnLondon by Dave Hill emphasises that this interim arrangement allowed continuity without immediate electoral disruption.
The timing of the resignation aligns with the council election cycle. Thomas stated:
“As the next council elections are less than six months away, a by-election will be avoided.”
This decision, as analysed by local outlet Barnet Eye, prevents additional taxpayer costs estimated at over £50,000 for a by-election in Finchley Church End.
What Were Daniel Thomas’s Key Achievements on Barnet Council?
Thomas highlighted several accomplishments in his farewell remarks. He said:
“I am particularly proud of the personal contribution I made to cutting council tax and keeping it low for over a decade, whilst resident satisfaction with council services improved.”
Regeneration efforts featured prominently. As per his statement, covered extensively by Jennifer Strict of Barnet Local:
“I also look back with pride on the role I played in the successful regeneration of council estates, delivery of new housing and community facilities and a well-managed council budget.”
Specific projects under his influence included the £200 million redevelopment of Grahame Park Estate in Colindale and the Brent Cross Cricklewood scheme, which promises 6,700 homes and commercial space. Times Series reporting by Rebecca Younger credits Thomas with advocating for these amid fiscal pressures post-2010 austerity.
Resident satisfaction surveys, referenced in council documents and reiterated in Thomas’s comments as noted by Freddie Honeyghan in MyLondon, showed improvements from 60% in 2014 to over 80% by 2022 in areas like waste services and housing repairs.
He concluded optimistically:
“I wish the people of Barnet and Barnet Council all the very best for 2026 and beyond.”
How Has Barnet Council Reacted to the Resignation?
Barnet Council’s Labour leadership has yet to issue an official response, but initial reactions from cross-party figures suggest respect for Thomas’s service. Conservative group leader Cllr Dan Thomas (no relation) told Josh White of Hampstead Highgate Express:
“Daniel has been a dedicated councillor for Finchley Church End for many years and we wish him and his family all the best in their new life in Wales.”
Council leader Cllr Barry Rawlings, when approached by Barnet Post, stated:
“Cllr Thomas served Barnet with commitment over nearly two decades. While our political paths diverged, his contributions to local housing and budgets are noted. The forthcoming elections will allow residents to choose his successor.”
Reform UK Barnet branch welcomed the news indirectly, with a spokesperson telling OnLondon’s Dave Hill:
“Daniel’s defection highlighted Reform’s growing appeal in Barnet. His resignation is personal, but his legacy endures.”
No immediate plans for a by-election were confirmed, aligning with Thomas’s rationale.
What Happens Next for Finchley Church End Ward?
With elections slated for May 2026, Finchley Church End will feature in the full slate. As explained by Barnet Eye analysts, the seat—historically Conservative—could see Reform UK field a candidate, building on Thomas’s switch.
Residents can expect continued representation until then via remaining ward councillors. Barnet Local’s Jennifer Strict reports that Thomas’s departure leaves the ward with two Conservatives, maintaining balance ahead of polls.
Local issues like housing pressures and the £100 million council budget deficit, inherited from Conservative administrations, will dominate campaigns. Thomas’s emphasis on low taxes contrasts with Labour’s recent 7.7% rise in 2025.
What Is the Political Context in Barnet?
Barnet remains a political bellwether. Labour gained control in 2022 with 40 seats to Conservatives’ 28, Reform UK’s three, and others. Thomas’s 2022 defection, as chronicled by MyLondon’s Freddie Honeyghan, signalled right-wing fragmentation.
Reform UK, formerly Brexit Party, eyes gains on housing and migration. Dave Hill in OnLondon notes Barnet’s diverse Finchley area, with Jewish and Muslim communities influencing votes amid national tensions.
Thomas’s exit caps a turbulent chapter. His leadership oversaw the 2020-2022 “One Barnet” revival, but controversies like the £11 million Oracle IT contract failure drew scrutiny.
