"Taking the mick" - South Shields Reform UK councillor defends decision to quit after podcast controversy
Reform UK councillor embroiled in controversy over comments made on his own podcast show reveals why he quit his post representing the people of Harton in South Shields.
A South Tyneside councillor who quit after just 46 days has defended himself amid a backlash over his vile podcast posts – while claiming the demands of the job took him by surprise.
Reform UK’s Alex Clarke made sickening references to Sir Keir Starmer’s sexual habits – even referring to him as “a nonce” – yet has insisted his crass remarks were humour driven.
In another online broadcast, he stated “washing clothes is a woman’s job”, and adds, “It is scientifically proven that men are better drivers than women.”
They are among an avalanche of foul-mouthed unpleasantries which brought condemnation from national anti-fascist group HOPE not hate and local opposition politicians.
However, there was deafening silence from Reform UK both in South Tyneside and at its London head office, with neither commenting.
But Clarke was not finished there - and in his and partner Abbie’s latest almost hour-long podcast, he criticises management at travel firm Stagecoach, where he works as a bus driver.
On quitting his post as a councillor, he claimed he was misled into becoming a councillor for the Harton ward and did not know what the job entailed.
In a statement to the Gazette, he claimed the role had been misrepresented to him in terms of the time commitment and responsibilities.
Clarke, whose resignation will spark a costly by-election, added: “I do not believe it would be morally right to continue in a position that I could not fully commit the necessary time and attention to.
“The role should be held by someone who can dedicate themselves fully to serving residents, and stepping down was the responsible thing to do.”
Clarke also insisted his podcasts were never “to cause harm or misrepresent anyone” – and he rejected suggestions his words were made with negative or malicious intent.
He added: “I am more than willing to provide accurate explanations where needed, but I will not accept attempts to spin my words in a way that mischaracterises me or my views.
“The podcast is a comedy‑based show, and the tone is intentionally exaggerated, self‑deprecating, and rooted in humour.
“Nothing we say is meant to be taken literally or with any intent to offend.
“A large part of the show involves taking the mick out of ourselves and highlighting the absurdity of everyday situations.
“The comment about it being a “woman’s job to wash clothes” was not a statement of belief. It was a joke about my own incompetence with the washing machine.
“Abbie doesn’t let me near it because I’ve ruined clothes before. The humour was directed at myself, not at women, and there was no malicious or sexist intent behind it.
“To be clear, I do not believe that one gender is inherently better or worse at anything.
“People have individual strengths, and comedy often plays with stereotypes to highlight how ridiculous they are - not to reinforce them.
“Any references made on the podcast were part of that comedic framing, not a reflection of my actual views.”