Reform UK Councillor Ian Cooper has been defended by fellow Reform councillor Harrison Allman-Varty after refusing to pay for a Pride parade in his constituency's celebration this summer.

The Staffordshire County Council leader argued that they are "not going to spend taxpayers' money" funding the second annual parade, scheduled for August.

Cooper said: "We're not against Pride - have a great time, enjoy yourself. However, we are not going to spend taxpayers' money funding that.

"If you want to do that, go to the private sector, ask charities, put your hand in your own pocket - we think priorities are better spent on other things."

Harrison Allman-Varty defended calls by Reform UK Councillor Ian Cooper to refuse funding for Stafford Pride

Discussing the decision on GB News, Elmbridge Councillor Harrison Allman-Varty argued that funding Pride is "not a main priority" for Britain's "cash-strapped councils".

Allman-Varty explained: "I don't think it's the fact that it's a Pride parade. I think many people will be in favour of any sort of celebration, it's just the case of how it's funded.

"The climate in which so many councils and probably all councils are in, we're all strapped for cash, and I think most people will be asking 'what is the main priority of this council?'.

"And the main priority is to make sure that funds are going to essential services, so I think that is the first priority of any local association."

Pride organisers have responded with demands for an apology from Cooper, disputing his characterisation of council fundingGetty

Suggesting that funding could be provided by "very corporate companies" and the "sponsors of Pride events" for Stafford Pride, Allman-Varty claimed that the funding "shouldn't be reliant on councils".

Allman-Varty told GB News: "As we've seen, there are very, very corporate companies that love talking about and sponsoring Pride, so I don't think it'll be that hard to find those funds from elsewhere.

"I don't know why the reliance has to be on already strapped for cash councils who need to try and deliver their primary service, which is delivering services for those who live there."

Completely disagreeing with Allman-Varty, author and podcast host Lewis Oakley argued that councils "should be funding Pride", as it is an "investment" in the area.

Harrison Allman-Varty told GB News that the funding for the parade should be spent elsewhere

Oakley told GB News: "I think that the council should be funding Pride, not the whole thing, but at least putting money towards it.

"Anyone that's ever been involved in a Pride parade will tell you most people are working for free. It's all run by volunteers.

"So a little bit of seed money from the council will go a very long way for that. It's interesting this comes from Reform, because actually I think the fact that we have Pride parades is about the best of British."

He added: "Pride brings money to local areas, it is an investment. You might spend a little bit of money on it, but people come and they have to pay for parking, they have to pay for food, they have to pay for a hotel to stay, and that brings a lot of money to a local area.

"So it's not about taking out of the pot and then we've got no money back. Actually, it's an investment. And in this particular instance, Stafford and Pride, they've saved £1,700 by saying they're not funding Pride. That's not massive amounts of money."