REFORM chairman Edward Dillingham said there's 'only so long you can kick locals before they're done with you' - and has vowed that he and the party's other councillors will work their hardest for residents after their historic win.
The party swept to victory in this year's elections with a huge majority overall.
Edward, who said a choice has not yet been made on who will lead the party moving forward, told the Chronicle: "I'm buzzing - proper buzzing with how we've done.
"It's the top end of what I'd have hoped for.
"And the fact that we did it with a clean campaign - because I didn't want to get into gutter politics - is bang on.
"All the candidates, even if they win or lose, they've worked their backsides off to do this.
"They really have."
He said that locals being fed up with Keir Starmer and wanting change in the town call created a 'perfect storm' for his party to win.
"You go knocking on doors and it's the same thing - it's Starmer," he said.
"The second one is, obviously, just locally.
"It's that all money gets spent in the town centre.
"There's only so long you can kick locals before they are just are done with you.
"Then put that with Starmer and it's the perfect storm."
Asked what Reform's main focus is now they are in power, he said: "I've looked at Barnsley Council for years and I cannot understand where all the money goes.
"They give you these numbers, but it's like, how the hell have you spent this much whilst in debt?
"It doesn't add up.
"I want transparency.
"We need to sort out the money first - then we need to sort out the basics and get the council in order."
Asked what message he wants to send to the people of Barnsley, he said: "We're here for Barnsley, to make Barnsley better, for the Barnsley folk.
"And we're going to do our hardest to do it.
"I would say as well if you've got issues, get in touch with your local councillor.
"Tell us, because when we know about it, my people anyway, will do their hardest to sort it.
"I don't like to over promise or anything like that - but we are going to work our backsides off to make things better for the people of Barnsley."
