Barnet is broken

Barnet needs reform

Our Team

Interim Chairman
Councillor Mark Shooter

Born in Edgware and a proud resident of Hendon for over 40 years, Mark brings deep local roots and decades of experience to his role as Chairman of Barnet Reform UK. He joined Reform UK in December 2024 following a 15-year career as a Conservative councillor and activist, driven by a renewed commitment to common-sense politics and genuine accountability.Mark served as Mayor of Barnet from 2015 to 2016 and held a range of senior roles on the council, overseeing key areas such as pensions, planning, education, and scrutiny. He has long been a familiar and trusted figure in the community—respected for his integrity, independence, and unwavering focus on standing up for Barnet residents.Before entering local politics, Mark studied Actuarial Science and built a successful career in the City, later moving into real estate in 2010.As Chairman of Barnet Reform UK, Mark’s mission is clear: to win seats on Barnet Council in 2026 and give local people the strong, principled representation they deserve.

Interim Vice Chair
Lisa Rutter

Born in North London, Lisa is married, has one son, and has a Greek Cypriot heritage. Lisa’s working career has been mostly in banking and litigation work.Lisa brings 16 years of experience as former Councillor and Mayor of the London Borough of Barnet in 2012. She is well known in the community as a trusting, reliable, hard-working person who understands peoples’ concerns and will not give up easily. She has an excellent reputation in speaking up and representing her residents. She was instrumental in getting the 383 bus service for Finchley Memorial Hospital after working with TFL for 3 years.Her work as Founder and Chairman of her registered charity Dementia Club UK has also helped many people with dementia and their carers and families giving them another lifeline.

Interim Treasurer
Adrian Kitching

Adrian Kitching is the Treasurer of Barnet Reform UK and a committed local campaigner. He recently stood in the Whetstone by-election, achieving an impressive 21% of the vote—up from just 7% less than a year earlier—demonstrating growing local support for Reform UK’s common-sense approach.Originally from Yorkshire, Adrian has called Whetstone home for the past seven years. With over 30 years of experience in industry, he runs his own company focused on helping businesses grow through smart, results-driven sales and marketing strategies. Prior to going independent, Adrian led several highly successful companies, bringing a wealth of commercial acumen to his role in the party.Adrian is passionate about improving public safety and is particularly focused on making Whetstone safer at night through better street lighting and infrastructure. He’s also deeply involved in community life—an avid runner who completed the London Marathon in 2022, and a regular visitor to local care homes with his beloved dog Marley, a registered PET Therapy dog.Adrian combines business expertise with a strong sense of public service—working to build a better, safer, and more responsive local council for the people of Barnet.

Interim Group Secretary & Event Manager
Jane Davies

Jane was born in North London and has lived across the globe, spending formative years in both the United States and Australia before returning permanently to her homeland.Her career has been shaped by roles within leading international conglomerates, where she has supported senior executives in high-pressure, board-level environments. Known for her discretion and professionalism, Jane has successfully managed complex projects, led high-performing teams, and overseen confidential business operations with precision and care.A clear and confident communicator, she thrives in fast-paced, ever-evolving settings. Her hallmark traits—diligence, efficiency, and pro-activity—are matched by her exceptional organisational skills. From coordinating major corporate events across continents to streamlining executive operations, Jane brings flair and finesse to every detail.Beyond the office, Jane is deeply passionate about her country, community, and the natural world. She strongly believes in the power of kindness and makes it a personal mission to do something selfless each day—for someone or something in need.

Former Chairman & President
Hamish Haddow

Hamish Haddow represented the Reform UK party as the Parliamentary candidate for Chipping Barnet in 2024 and is the Branch Chairman for Broxbourne.Hamish Haddow is a family man from Hertfordshire, with 30 years of experience in IT management and a business degree. Passionate about addressing local issues, he advocates for increased police presence, infrastructure repairs, and the safety of Barnet's community.Hamish Haddow campaigned focusing on creating a safer, more inclusive environment for all residents by tackling crime, improving patriotic values, reducing migration, and restoring national accountability.

Barnet is Broken

Barnet Council is in CRISIS! The current £79 million budget deficit is being patched up by Labour with £24 million in ‘savings’ and a £55 million government bailout.

What about next year, or the year after?

By 2030, without real reform, the deficit is projected to balloon to £123 million!

Labour blames Tories. Tories blame Labour.
BOTH have FAILED YOU!

The TRUTH is, Barnet’s financial mess has been building for nearly two decades, having been driven by waste, mismanagement and political complacency.

Where Did it All Go Wrong?

1. Icelandic Bank Gamble (2008)£27.4 million of taxpayer's money was invested in high-risk overseas banks. Much was recovered eventually, but the full picture remains shrouded in secrecy.2. Street Lighting PFI Disaster (2008)A long-term PFI deal resulted in a £7.5 million cost variation in 2019 alone, with more likely hidden in future liabilities.3. Unsustainable Housing CostsEmergency accommodation, especially for asylum seekers, has spiralled to £10 million annually, with no long-term solution in place.4. Brent Cross Station OverrunOriginally budgeted under control, now facing a £55 million cost overrun and a one-year delay.Who’s being held accountable?5. Capita Outsourcing FiascoThe Conservatives promised outsourcing to Capita would save Barnet money. Instead we have spent an extra:• £161 million with Capita• £93 million with RE (the joint venture)• Services now being brought back in-houseWhere did this extra money go? Barnet residents deserve answers - and accountability.6. Debt & Interest MismanagementBorrowing soared while interest rates were low, but no plan was made for their inevitable rise. Now the borough is saddled with growing debt repayments.7. Secretive Subsidiaries & Lack of AccountabilityCouncil-owned companies operate in the shadows. Political monopoly by Labour and Conservatives ensures no scrutiny and no transparency.

Reform UK: A New Start for Barnet

The scale of the challenge is immense. But Reform UK will not shirk responsibility.We believe in:
✅Auditing every penny
✅ Scrapping failed contracts
✅ Transparency in council-owned companies
✅ Cutting waste not frontline services
✅ Fixing housing and infrastructure with proper planningIt’s time for new leadership!Barnet is BROKEN!Reform will FIX IT!Our local Barnet manifesto will be released soon. Keep your eyes peeled for updates.You can access our national policies, with which we align, using the link below.

Stand for Us

As we look ahead to the Barnet Council elections in 2026, we need local champions to carry this wave of change into every corner of our borough.Standing for council is more achievable than you might think; the minimum attendance requirement is just two meetings a year.This is a unique chance to help turn Barnet turquoise, and show the country that Reform is here to stay.
If you're ready to make a difference – whether as an active councillor or a paper candidate – please click the button above to apply.

Whetstone Council By-Election

The latest by-election results mark a fantastic achievement for Reform UK. We secured nearly 21% of the vote, despite a low turnout—tripling our result in less than a year. In the July 2024 General Election, we polled just 7% in Whetstone. This time, thanks to our growing popularity and a strong local candidate, Adrian Kitching, we soared to 21%.Our internal polling now shows Reform UK leading in some wards across Barnet. It’s clear that local residents are turning away from the Conservative Party after years of failure and mismanagement. They are no longer a credible option.The trend extends beyond Barnet. Across London, Reform UK is polling ahead of the Conservatives. Even Mayor Sadiq Khan has acknowledged that Reform UK is now the official opposition in London.The message is clear: Vote Conservative, and you risk ending up with Labour. Vote Reform, and you get Reform.With this growing momentum, we are confident that Reform UK will win multiple seats in Barnet in next year’s local elections.

Tell Us Your Local Issues

Reform UK believe our local community voices are vital for shaping a better future because they represent the needs, perspectives, and experiences of the people who live in a specific area.When local voices are heard, it can lead to more inclusive and effective decision making creating better outcomes for everyone.Reform UK are the party who will listen and bring about the much needed change in all 24 wards under the London Borough of Barnet Council.If you have any concerns in your designated area that you would like Reform UK to be aware of, please complete and submit the below form so that you can get in touch with the team.