A Reform UK councillor has quit after just 48 days in the role, sparking a by-election.

Clr Craig Wiles was one of three Reform UK councillors elected in Almondbury, a previous Liberal Democrat stronghold, at the all-out Kirklees Council elections on May 7.

Yesterday, Reform UK leader Clr Sarah Wood announced that Mr Wiles had resigned but declined to explain the reasons why.

In a brief statement, Clr Wood – still bidding to become council leader – said: “We look forward to contesting the forthcoming by-election, and to continue to serve, support and represent the people of Almondbury.

“In the meantime, Clr Pip Harvey and Clr Gill Floyd will carry on providing strong representation for Almondbury residents, ensuring there is no interruption to the work already underway.”

In a post on Facebook, Mr Wiles later said he was facing “significant medical challenges” and stepping down was the right decision.

Clr Wiles beat Lib Dem councillor Paola Davies by around 300 votes and Clr Davies is expected to stand again, with a by-election to be held in around six weeks.

Lib Dem leader Clr Anthony Smith (Lindley) revealed that Mr Wiles was a former member of the Liberal Democrats.

He had been asked to leave the party about 12 months ago for what Clr Smith described as “interesting views” that were not those of the Liberal Democrats.

At the all-out elections the political map of Kirklees was re-drawn with Labour losing all its seats and Reform UK becoming the biggest party with 29 seats. Mr Wiles’ resignation reduces that number to 28.

The Liberal Democrats were left with just five seats and Clr Smith is hopeful that his party can turn the result around.

“It will be interesting to see how the by-election plays out now that people have had chance to evaluate the performance of the new (Reform) councillors,” he said.

“Views expressed on social media suggest a lack of engagement from the new councillors.”

All political parties field “paper candidates” for seats they don’t expect to win but there is speculation that more than one of the new Reform councillors weren’t just expecting not to be elected but actually didn’t want to be.

Rival parties believe Mr Wiles may not be the only Reform councillor to stand down and Clr Smith said there could even be a “domino effect.”

He added: “I don’t think all the Reform councillors expected to be elected and we will be campaigning hard to give our candidate the best possible chance.”

Kirklees Council is currently in limbo and unable to elect a new leader. Reform UK claim to have a mandate as the biggest party but rivals, led by Green Party leader Clr Andrew Cooper, say that more voted against them than for them.

Clr Wood and Clr Cooper have twice made bids for the leadership but have been unable to secure a majority with the Conservatives blocking both, leaving the council deadlocked.

Chief executive Steve Mawson is in day-to-day control of the council to ensure services continue.

Councillors will attempt another vote to try to break the deadlock at a full council meeting at Huddersfield Town Hall on Wednesday July 15 (5.30pm).

The new-look council has showed no signs of coming together yet.

Clr Smith said: “While one less Reform UK councillor is a step closer to some kind of resolution, the numbers still don’t add up and I really don’t see what’s going to move to get either Clr Wood or Clr Cooper in the chair at this stage. However, we still have a couple of weeks.”

Political opponents have asked Clr Wood questions about how she would run the council but she has declined to answer.