Councillor Derek Wunderley, Reform Uk

08/10/2026

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT: Why Reform Uk Councillors temporarily left the chamber last night.

There are deliberate misrepresentations and outright lies being spread about why Reform UK councillors briefly stepped out of the Council Chamber during last night's council meeting.

We want to give Bolton residents the clear, unfiltered truth.

Our Stand Was Against Workplace Bullying & Unprofessional Behaviour.

During the meeting, the Labour Leader directed unacceptable, aggressive, and abusive behavior toward a Green Party Councillor who was putting forward a question.

No matter who is speaking, or how much we disagree with their politics, nobody should be subjected to personal abuse or workplace bullying in the council chamber.

What made the situation even worse was the complete failure of the Mayor and Chief Executive to intervene or maintain order. When standard procedures and basic decency break down, sitting silently implies consent.

Reform UK Councillors took the principled decision to temporarily leave the chamber until questions were over as a direct protest against the unchecked bullying, lies, and abusive atmosphere being permitted in the chamber.

Where We Stand on the Palestinian Flag Issue.

Let us be 100% clear. We do not support raising the Palestinian flag over public buildings in Bolton.

Our position on national and local civic symbols remains unchanged. Union Jack, St Georges Flag , Armed forces and Lancashire / Bolton Symbols only.

Leaving the room was NOT an act of political solidarity with the Green Party's stance, nor was it a statement in support of their question.

Politics Over Principles from Our Critics.

Political opponents are now trying to twist this walkout into a "joint political alliance" with the Greens. This is completely false.

Opposing abusive behaviour in public office is not "solidarity" with another party's platform it is standing up for basic decorum and standards in public life. Those spreading these misleading narratives are simply attempting to distract from the real issue which is the unacceptable behavior displayed by senior leadership in the council chamber.

We will always stand up for firm principles, proper democratic debate, and decency in local government. When the standard of debate returns to policy rather than personal abuse, we are right there leading the room just as we did when we successfully passed our landmark HMO motion earlier that evening!

28/09/2026

It’s been a busy few weeks on the ward, but last week I took some time out to go on holiday with my family.

I know there are some residents waiting for replies to emails and messages, and I’ve had a few people understandably frustrated with the delays. I appreciate your patience and ask that you bear with me while I work through everything.

I’m now back and catching up on the backlog, as well as getting straight back into the many ward issues that need attention.

There’s plenty going on across Little Lever & Darcy Lever from individual resident casework to local environmental issues, housing concerns, highways and ongoing problems that need chasing with the council and other organisations. Unfortunately they are not always quick with their responses either, my hands are a bit tied until they do respond to me on some matters but I keep chasing.

Thank you to everyone who has been patient while I’ve been away. I really do appreciate it.

Lastly don’t forget to come say hi on Friday at my surgery if you can.

Back to work and plenty to get on with!

Derek

19/09/2026

16/09/2026

Very sad news today, I send my my condolences to Cllr Chadwick’s Family, Friends and colleagues

11/09/2026

LITTLE LEVER — SERIOUS QUESTIONS NEED ANSWERING

After several residents contacted me about reports of threats in the village and Mytham Primary School going into partial lockdown this afternoon I decided to go into the village myself to find out what I could.

I met the woman who was originally threatened and who had, I understand, subsequently been threatened again. Thankfully, she was safe and being supported. I also spoke with her father, who had travelled from Salford because he was understandably extremely concerned about his daughter’s safety.

What concerns me is the sequence of events.

I understand the man involved had been arrested in Radcliffe yesterday and subsequently released, before returning to Little Lever where further concerns and threats were reported.

While in the village, I understand he went into a local shop despite previous concerns about threats. A number of people there tried to get him to leave, before he contacted police himself claiming he was in danger. Officers attended, spoke to witnesses and arrested him.

I am not going to comment on the evidence or the eventual outcome of any investigation that is for GMP and the courts.

But as your local councillor, I absolutely will be asking questions.

How can a situation involving alleged serious threats escalate to the point where more than one primary school has to take additional safety measures, while the person at the centre of the concerns is able to return to the area?

I have contacted the Police Superintendent and will be seeking answers about what happened, what safeguarding measures were considered and why the situation reached the point it did.

Residents should be able to go about their daily lives without fear, and our schools should be places where children and staff feel safe.

This isn’t about politics. It’s about public safety and getting answers for the people of Little Lever.

I will continue to push for those answers and keep residents updated with what I can share.

11/09/2026

Darcy Lever updates

Over the last few weeks I’ve been out and about listening to residents, raising concerns and pushing the Council and others for answers and there’s already been some progress.

Empire Motors, Radcliffe Road
I’ve confirmed with the Council that the land next to Empire Motors is Council owned. The cars being stored there will have to be removed and will not be allowed back. The Council can now maintain the land properly.

Radcliffe Road – overgrown land & fencing
The privately owned land formally Be One Homes Land, just up from the Farmers Arms has now been served notice for environmental works, including the overgrown bushes near the bus stop. I’ve also raised concerns about dangerous fencing.

Davenport Farm – Crow’s Nest
I’ve been contacted by residents with concerns about recent activity and changes taking place at Davenport Farm.I’ve raised these concerns directly with the Council’s Planning and Enforcement teams and am awaiting their response to establish exactly what is happening and whether any planning or other permissions are required. There is currently no planning application for an abattoir on the site, but I’ll continue to press for answers and will update residents once I have confirmed information.

White House - Dove bank
After residents contacted me about a break-in, I got the police involved and met with them. The owners have now secured the property. I’m continuing to push for further action regarding the damaged front windows.

Former Seven Stars, Dove Bank
I’m working with the owners and landlords to tackle the ongoing rubbish problem and find a proper long-term solution to the repeated bin and waste

03/09/2026

SURGERY UPDATE – FRIDAY

Unfortunately, I won’t be able to hold my councillor surgery this Friday as planned.

I’m sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. If you have an issue, concern or casework you’d like me to look into, please don’t wait until the next surgery.

You can email me on [email protected] or send me a message via this page and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

Thank you for your understanding.

Derek