New Reform leader's social media posts criticised

The newly elected leader of Reform UK on Doncaster Council has previously been criticised for sharing inflammatory comments on social media.

Howard Rimmer won a leadership contest at the Reform Doncaster's annual general meeting on Monday, to replace previous leader Craig Ward.

In 2025, when he was standing for election, campaign group Hope Not Hate published details of posts on Rimmer's Facebook account, including items about far right activist Tommy Robinson.

Rimmer, Doncaster Council and Reform have all been approached for comment.

Rimmer was one of 14 Reform candidates whose social media activity was revealed by the anti-racism campaign group ahead of the local elections in May 2025.

Among the posts, on 16 January 2025, Rimmer's Facebook reposted an item from the "Traditional Britain Group – Lifeboat", which describes itself as "a home to the disillusioned patriot".

The group's post said: "We are importing low IQ people and when they commit heinous crimes they are given more lenient sentences by the Judges as they are 'Low IQ and don't understand our way of life'."

It also referenced "the Great Replacement", a conspiracy theory that elites are seeking to replace the populations of western nations with immigrants.

There were also several reposts about Tommy Robinson, including one describing him as someone "vocal about the importance of celebrating British identity, culture and values" and another saying "Batley needs these people".

Rimmer was selected by fellow Reform councillors to be the new leader of the group, which is the largest party on the authority and the main opposition to the Labour administration led by Mayor Ros Jones.

He becomes Reform's third leader on the council in the past 12 months.

Following the 2025 local elections, Wheatley Hills and Intake representative Guy Aston was chosen to lead the group.

However, there was a backbench rebellion in November 2025 which led to his resignation.

Aston was eventually succeeded in January 2025 by Craig Ward.

Ward faced a leadership challenge this week and has been replaced by Rimmer.

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