Flamingo Land owner and former Tory Party donor Gordon Gibb has defected to Reform ahead of the General Election. 

Mr Gibb, CEO of the popular North Yorkshire theme park, has thrown his weight behind the party by backing Mark Robinson, the Reform candidate for Thirsk and Malton.

The former Bradford City chairman said that the country "needs change desperately" having been an "extremely disillusioned" major donor to the Conservatives. 

The news comes just days after former Newcastle United owner Sir John Hall switched his support to Reform, after previously donating tens of thousands of pounds to the Tories.

Mr Robinson said Flamingo Land - which continues to attract thousands of thrill seekers each year - is "an essential part of the local economy" and argued that Reform's tax pledges would benefit both employees and visitors.

In just a few days, he will face off against Labour's Lisa Banes, Luke Martin John Brownlee from the Yorkshire Party, Conservative Kevin Hollinrake, Liberal Democrat Steve Mason and Richard George McLane from Green Party. 

 

'The Westminster way is broken'

Mr Gibb said: “I am an extremely disillusioned Tory party major donor, member of the leaders group and ex Tory voter.

"I have decided to change my attention to a party that is offering something different and original. The Westminster way is broken and I know with Reform that Immigration will be reduced alongside our collective tax burden.

"The Tories have had 14 years to do something about these two very important issues and have failed miserably. We need change desperately!"

Mr Robinson added: “Flamingo Land is a significant local employer and an essential part of the local economy.

“Reform UK’s tax pledges would benefit many Flamingo Land employees and visitors, removing PAYE under £20k, and giving customers more money to spend.

“Reform UK proposes a bonfire of unnecessary bureaucratic rules and red tape stifling business.

“Energy bills for businesses will be cut by removing green levies from fuel bills and taking advantage of the untold energy resources available on these islands, making us self-sufficient in energy.

“This will reduce fuel bills by a substantial margin, both for businesses and for the population generally. People will be incentivised to go to work, and Flamingo Land visitors will have more money to spend. A win-win.

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“Reform is a party that promotes traditional family values, and supports our cultural and local identity, and a work ethic. This can only help instil an atmosphere of goodwill and a sense of belonging among the population.

“This positivity can only be good for business, encouraging people to visit Flamingo Land and encouraging staff to go to work.

“This will help restore a feeling of local and national pride, which has been lost.”