Former Reform Councillor's comments to be displayed on ad van

An ad van displaying comments made by former Reform Councillor Raymond Dunning will be driving around Ashton-under-Lyne.

The advertising van will tour key locations in Ashton-under-Lyne this evening (Monday, October 19), displaying controversial remarks made by former Reform UK Councillor Raymond Dunning in an undercover ITV investigation.

The van, organised by campaigning group 38 Degrees, will carry the message: “Tameside’s Reform councillor wants ‘civil unrest’ here”, alongside a quote from footage in which Dunning discussed training young men in insurgency tactics and going “street by street, house by house” to target people.

The message will conclude: “Tameside deserves better.”

Dunning, who represents Ashton Waterloo on Tameside Council, was filmed making offensive remarks during ITV Exposure’s undercover investigation into Reform UK. He has since left the party’s council group but continues to serve as an independent councillor.

The investigation has prompted calls for Reform councillors and candidates featured in the footage to face consequences over their remarks. Reform UK has said it is investigating cases of inappropriate behaviour and that due process must be followed.

The advertising van is scheduled to visit several busy locations around Ashton-under-Lyne from 5pm, including the bus and tram interchange, Ashton Market, Ladysmith Shopping Centre and Tameside Stadium.

According to 38 Degrees, the campaign has been funded by hundreds of members of the public, whose average contributions were £8.45.

38 Degrees is a UK-based, people-powered campaigning organisation with a community of more than one million people. It brings members of the public together to campaign on issues including the NHS, the environment, living costs and political accountability.

The group says the Ashton-under-Lyne van aims to ensure local residents are aware of the remarks and the controversy surrounding one of their elected representatives.