Kim Leadbeater, Harpreet Uppal, Paul Davies and Jade Botterill say language attributed to a councillor risks making residents feel their council does not respect them.
Four Labour MPs representing communities across Kirklees have called on Reform UK to act after a social media post attributed to one of its councillors appeared to describe immigrants as “third world animals”.
Kim Leadbeater, Harpreet Uppal, Paul Davies and Jade Botterill said they were shocked by the language attributed to Tracy Clayton, who represents Colne Valley West on Kirklees Council. They urged Reform to show that its council leadership would represent and respect every resident.
In their joint statement, the MPs said there was a clear difference between debating immigration policy and using language that dehumanises people because of their nationality, ethnicity or immigration status. They warned that the post could leave residents feeling disregarded by the council meant to serve them.
Clayton’s post, written while she was in Greece, also referred to “invaders” and alleged crimes in Britain. Reform disputes the interpretation that she called immigrants generally “third world animals”, saying her remarks referred to people committing serious offences.
Kirklees council leader Sarah Wood said the language went further than she would use but defended what she called the post’s underlying point. Reform UK also defended Clayton and said many local people would sympathise with her comments.
The dispute reached a council cabinet meeting on Tuesday, where opposition councillors challenged Wood’s response. Independent councillor Akhtar Kasia said residents had contacted him with concerns about what the remarks meant for a community whose members should be able to trust their elected representatives.
The four Labour MPs have asked Reform to address those concerns directly. Their intervention focuses on the responsibility of councillors and council leaders to serve residents across Kirklees, including those who disagree with them on immigration.
