Draft:Chris Eynon

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Chris Eynon
Leader of Sunderland City Council
Incumbent
Assumed office
2026
Councillor of Sunderland City Council for Redhouse
Incumbent
Assumed office
2026
Personal details
BornChristopher Luke Eynon[1]
1995 (age 30–31)[2]
Sunderland, England
PartyReform UK (2023–present)
Other party
Conservative (until 2022)
OccupationFinancial adviser, politician
Military service
Allegiance United Kingdom
Branch/service British Army

Christopher Eynon is a British Reform UK politician and financial adviser. He has served as the leader of Sunderland City Council and as a councillor for its Redhouse ward since the 2026 Sunderland City Council election. A lifelong Sunderland resident from a shipbuilding family, he previously stood as a Conservative Party candidate in 2022 before joining Reform UK in 2023 and standing for them in several subsequent elections.

Early life and finance career

Eynon was born in Sunderland and has lived in the city throughout his life. He comes from a family who worked in shipbuilding, steelmaking, and heavy industry.[3][4] He obtained a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in finance before going on to work as a financial adviser for Fairstone Financial Management and other companies focusing on financial planning and investing.[5] He also serves in the Army Reserve.[6][7] Eynon was a director of the Citizens Advice branch in Sunderland from February to August 2023.[2]

Political career

Eynon stood as the Conservative Party candidate for Washington East ward in the 2022 Sunderland City Council election.[8] He received 1,223 (39%) votes and came second.[9] He later joined Reform UK in 2023[6] and went on to become the chairman of their Sunderland Central branch.[10][11] He stood as their candidate for the St Michael's ward in the 2023 Sunderland City Council election,[3] getting 273 (8%) votes and coming third.[12] In the 2024 Sunderland City Council election, Eynon stood for the Redhill ward.[13] He gained 579 (32%) votes and finished second.[14] He was the candidate for Sunderland Central in the 2024 United Kingdom general election.[15][16] He received 10,779 (27%) votes and finished second.[17][18] Afterwards, he said while Reform UK were "very sad" to not win the constituency, they had become "the new opposition to Labour" in the election.[18]

In the 2026 Sunderland City Council election, he ran for the Redhouse ward, successfully being elected with 1,270 (18%) votes.[1] Reform gained control of Sunderland City Council, the first time it wasn't controlled by the Labour Party, winning 58 of its 75 seats.[19][20] He said many voters felt dissatisfied with the Starmer ministry and "left behind" under long-term Labour leadership. He added that he felt urban renewal projects in Sunderland had focused on the city centre, neglecting outlying areas.[11][21] On 12 May 2026, he was selected as the leader of the Reform UK councillors. Eynon said his selection was a "tremendous honour" and that the group was "determined to deliver" change voted for by Sunderland residents.[7][6] He was later confirmed and formally appointed as the leader of the council on 20 May 2026 alongside the confirmation of his cabinet.[22][23][24]

Sunderland City Council leader

The annual BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend was held in Herrington Country Park from 22 May to 24 May 2026. Afterwards, Eynon said the event had been "an unforgettable weekend for people across our city and region" that saw "Sunderland shine on the international stage" and generated "a multi-million-pound boost to our economy".[25][26][27] At the end of the 2025–26 Sunderland A.F.C. season, the club qualified for the Europa League to gain their first participation in European football for more than 50 years. Eynon reacted by congratulating "everyone at the club" for their "phenomenal season" and "tremendous achievement" and said the following season would provide economic and reputational benefits for the city.[28]

In late May 2026, the Reform-led Sunderland City Council announced only national flags and civic flags would be flown outside City Hall, Sunderland, and that the pride flag would no longer be displayed under any circumstances. Councillor Ciera Hudspith, the cabinet member for culture, tourism and heritage, said flags flown outside government property "should represent our nation and our country as a whole, not a sectional interest." However, local LGBT organisations, including OUT North East, Sunderland LGBT+ Network, and WearProud, criticised the decision, saying the decision will make LGBT people feel less welcome, valued, and included.[29][30][31] Around the same time, Eynon also welcomed the completion of the new Sunderland Specialist Eye Hospital in the city centre, built to replace Sunderland Eye Infirmary. He said the development would improve patient care and contribute to Sunderland's ongoing regeneration.[32][33]

In June 2026, Eynon published an open letter to Education Secretary and Houghton and Sunderland South MP Bridget Phillipson. It responded to her criticisms of Sunderland City Council's Reform administration, and in turn criticised her record in government and constituency representation. He urged Phillipson to work constructively with the administration or resign if she was unwilling to do so. Phillipson responded by criticising decisions taken by the new Reform-led council, including the creation of additional paid positions and controversies involving councillors.[34]

Political views and policies

When running for Sunderland Central in the 2024 United Kingdom general election, Eynon supported raising the income tax threshold to £20,000, reducing immigration, strengthening border controls, expanding maritime industries, abolishing business rates, lowering energy costs, and reducing NHS waiting lists.[4] He also described voters in North East England as "sick of the main two parties" and said Reform UK was "the only show in town" capable of delivering change.[15] After Elon Musk criticised and split with Farage in January 2025,[35][36] Eynon voiced support for his party leader, saying he is part of the appeal to voters, supported by local Reform members, and had invigorated the party with his leadership.[37] Eynon has advocated stronger action against illegal immigration, saying that the government's meaures were insufficient. He has argued that illegal immigrants working had reduced opportunities for British workers.[38]

In May 2025, Reform Party leader Nigel Farage was criticised after saying "DEI officers" working in Durham County Council should "look for another job" after his party won the 2025 Durham County Council election. Eynon supported him amid the criticism, saying "we do want to get rid of diversity, equality and inclusion jobs, these complete nonsense not-jobs".[39] Ahead of the 2026 Sunderland City Council election, Eynon advocated reducing council spending, including net zero-related expenditure, prioritising frontline services, improving community safety, increasing transparency, delivering lower council tax increases, and focusing on increasing the cost-effectivenes of council business.[10]

References

  1. Binding, Chris (8 May 2026). "How all 371 candidates fared in the Sunderland City Council elections". Sunderland Echo. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
  2. "Christopher Luke EYNON personal appointments - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". Companies House. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  3. Marko, Nic (30 April 2023). "Sunderland City Council elections 2023: Meet the candidates standing in the St Michael's ward". Sunderland Echo. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
  4. "Christopher Luke Eynon for Redhouse in the Sunderland local election". Who Can I Vote For?. 8 June 2024. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  5. "Chris Eynon". Fairstone Financial Management. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  6. Binding, Chris (12 May 2026). "The 30-year-old financial advisor expected to lead Sunderland City Council". Sunderland Echo. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  7. Briggs, Caroline (12 May 2026). "Reform UK selects Chris Eynon as Sunderland City Council leader". BBC News. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  8. Binding, Chris (1 May 2022). "Meet the candidates for Washington East for the Sunderland City Council election on May 5". Sunderland Echo. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
  9. Marko, Nic (6 May 2022). "These are the Sunderland City Council 2022 local election results in full". Sunderland Echo. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
  10. Binding, Chris (1 May 2026). "Sunderland Reform UK vows lower tax and better value before May 7 vote". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  11. Binding, Chris (9 May 2026). "How Reform UK aim to deliver 'real change' for Sunderland". Sunderland Echo. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
  12. Binding, Chris (5 May 2023). "Sunderland City Council election results 2023 in full - how people voted in each ward". Sunderland Echo. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
  13. Binding, Chris (24 April 2024). "Meet the candidates for the Redhill ward in the Sunderland City Council elections 2024". Sunderland Echo. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
  14. Binding, Chris (7 May 2024). "Full Sunderland City Council election results for 2024". Sunderland Echo. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
  15. Wild, Michael (18 March 2024). "North East voters sick of main parties, says Reform candidate". BBC News. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
  16. Clark, Kevin (31 May 2024). "General Election candidates so far after Labour names replacement for Julie Elliott". Sunderland Echo. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
  17. Whitfield, Graeme (4 July 2024). "Sunderland Central general election results 2024 in full". Chronicle Live. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
  18. Binding, Chris (5 July 2024). "New Sunderland Central MP Lewis Atkinson speaks of 'great honour' at being elected". Sunderland Echo. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
  19. "Council election results: Reform UK wins majorities in Sunderland, Gateshead and South Tyneside". ITV News. 8 May 2026. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  20. Gutteridge, Nick; Johnston, Neil (8 May 2026). "Labour loses Sunderland for first time". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  21. Robson, Steve (8 May 2026). "How migration and potholes helped Farage win a Labour stronghold". The i Paper. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  22. "New Leader and Cabinet for Sunderland City Council". Sunderland City Council. 20 May 2026. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  23. Binding, Chris (21 May 2026). "New leader and cabinet confirmed for Sunderland City Council". Sunderland Echo. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
  24. Dawson, Kristy (20 May 2026). "Reform councillor becomes new leader of Sunderland City Council". Chronicle Live. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
  25. Raine, Madeleine (25 May 2026). "'Really special weekend': Radio 1's Big Weekend a huge success". Sunderland Echo. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  26. Nichol, Joshua (25 May 2026). "Stars perform to 100,000-strong crowd as festival returns after 21 years". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  27. Wheeler, Katy (25 May 2026). "'We've seen Sunderland shine' - reaction to a bumper Bank Holiday weekend in the city". Sunderland Echo. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  28. Raine, Madeleine (27 May 2026). "Businesses react to Sunderland AFC qualifying for Europa League". Sunderland Echo. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  29. MacDougall, Tom (29 May 2026). "Sunderland City Hall will never fly Pride flag, Reform council says". BBC News. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  30. Hall, Daniel (29 May 2026). "Sunderland City Hall Pride flag snub risks making people feel less safe". Chronicle Live. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  31. Raine, Madeleine (29 May 2026). "Sunderland City Hall's flag switch causes controversy". Sunderland Echo. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  32. Wheeler, Katy (29 May 2026). "Inside Sunderland's 'game-changing' £48m Eye Hospital as building work is completed". Sunderland Echo. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  33. "Countdown to opening begins as NHS takes keys for new Sunderland Specialist Eye Hospital". South Tyneside And Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust. 29 May 2026. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  34. Fatkin, Neil (4 June 2026). "New Reform City Council leader launches scathing attack on MP Bridget Phillipson". Sunderland Echo. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  35. Francis, Sam; Farley, Harry (5 January 2025). "Elon Musk calls for Nigel Farage to be replaced as Reform UK leader". BBC News. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  36. Walker, Peter (5 January 2025). "Elon Musk turns on Nigel Farage and calls for new leader of Reform". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  37. Aitken, Joshua (8 January 2025). "What does 2025 hold for North East politics?". BBC News. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  38. Goymer, Philippa; Grewar, Calum (6 March 2025). "North East and Cumbria illegal working fines 25% higher than average". BBC News. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  39. Aitken, Joshua (4 May 2025). "Nigel Farage DEI comments disgusting, Durham Lib Dem says". BBC News. Retrieved 12 May 2026.