Credit: ITV West Country
Nathan David Michell
Chairman, Reform UK Camborne/Redruth/Hayle Branch
A building contractor from Carharrack with no political experience, Michell was appointed to chair one of Reform UK's most important Cornwall branches — without a vote from local members. His public record includes two incidents of illegally blocking a public bridleway at his farm, and three dissolved companies on the Companies House register.
Key Facts
- Appointed branch chairman by Paul Mills in November 2025 — not elected by members
- No electoral history — has never stood for any public office
- Twice blocked a public bridleway at his farm (2020, 2021) — Cornwall Council intervened both times
- Director of three dissolved companies (Allroofs, Allrise, Allplumb — all incorporated April 2012)
- No public social media presence despite chairing a major party branch in a key constituency
0
Elections contested
2
Bridleway obstructions
3
Dissolved companies
0
Public social media
Public Bridleway Obstructions
Michell has twice blocked the Engine House Trail, a public bridleway running from Truro to Hayle that passes through his farm at Carharrack. Both times, Cornwall Council confirmed he had no permission to close the path.
Blocked the Engine House Trail — a public bridleway running from Truro to Hayle — at his farm in Carharrack using hay bales and a van.
“People are walking up and down this path that is not two metres wide. I needed to close the path off to stop coronavirus. It's ludicrous with this virus and people supposed to keep two metres apart.”— Nathan Michell
“The bales were reportedly slashed by angry members of the public. Police and Cornwall Council countryside access team visited the farm.”
Blocked the same bridleway again, this time with padlocked chains and screws on the gates.
“It is not a permissive path but is a public bridleway that was created by a Public Path Creation Order that was made and confirmed by Cornwall Council in 2006... He does not have permission from the council to close the public bridleway.”— Cornwall Council spokesperson
The Appointment Controversy
In November 2025, Paul Mills — Reform UK's South West Regional Director — appointed Michell as Chairman of the Camborne, Redruth and Hayle branch, replacing former chair Roger Tarrant. The appointment was made without any vote by local members.
Branch members publicly protested, telling Cornwall Live that an unelected figure had been “parachuted in” to lead their constituency. Reform UK's national party defended the decision, arguing the branch was “not fully constituted” and therefore not entitled to elect its own chairman.
Why this matters
- Camborne and Redruth is a key marginal constituency — control of the local branch infrastructure matters for election ground game
- Reform UK claims to be a grassroots party, yet its branch chairmen are appointed from above without member input
- Michell has no prior political experience, electoral campaigning, or public office — his only public record is blocking a bridleway and growing vegetables
Timeline
Company incorporations
Incorporated three companies — Allroofs Maintenance, Allrise Scaffolding, and Allplumb Maintenance — all registered to Chapel Farm, Carharrack. All three are now dissolved.
Companies HouseFirst bridleway obstruction
Blocked the Engine House Trail (public bridleway from Truro to Hayle) at Carharrack with hay bales and a van, claiming COVID-19 public health concerns. Police and Cornwall Council countryside access team visited the farm.
BBC NewsSecond bridleway obstruction
Blocked the same bridleway again with padlocked chains and screws. Cornwall Council confirmed he had no permission and reminded him of his legal responsibilities.
Cornwall LiveGiant cabbage profile
Profiled in local media for growing a 60lb+ giant cabbage at his Carharrack allotment. Previously worked at B&Q where colleagues nicknamed him "Mr Cabbage".
Cornwall Live / ITV News
Appointed Reform UK branch chairman
Appointed Chairman of the Camborne, Redruth and Hayle branch by regional director Paul Mills, replacing former chair Roger Tarrant. The appointment bypassed any member vote.
Cornwall LiveMembers protest appointment
Branch members publicly protested to Cornwall Live, calling Michell's installation "parachuting in" an unelected figure. Reform UK's national party defended the appointment, citing the branch being "not fully constituted".
Cornwall Live / The GuardianCompanies House
Michell was director of three companies, all incorporated on the same dates in April 2012 and registered to his farm address. All three are now dissolved. His current business, Nathan Michell Builders, appears to trade as an unincorporated sole trader.
Connection to the Dobwalls Incident
Nathan Michell is named directly in the secretly recorded confrontation at a Dobwalls pub in October 2025. In the recording, Reform UK's West Cornwall organiser Alison Groves describes how Michell was installed as branch chairman by Paul Mills to replace Roger Tarrant:
“The person that's taken on Roger's place is somebody who was recommended by Roger and his name is Nathan Michell. Now, I'd never met that man before, ever.”— Alison Groves, recorded at the Highwayman Inn, Dobwalls (18 October 2025)
Groves goes on to explain that “Paul Mills had decided to put that Nathan in situ” — confirming the top-down nature of the appointment and the regional director's control over local branch leadership.
Listen to the full recording and read the transcript on the Reform UK in Cornwall investigation page.
Sources
This investigation draws on publicly available records including BBC News, Cornwall Live, ITV News West Country, The Guardian, and Companies House filings. No private or restricted databases were accessed.
| Source | Detail |
|---|---|
| BBC News | "Coronavirus: Farmer blocks footpath in Cornwall" (8 April 2020) |
| Cornwall Live | "Cornwall farmer who blocked public path to 'stop coronavirus' defends actions" (9 April 2020) |
| Cornwall Live | "Cornwall farmer uses chains, padlocks and screws to block walkers and cyclists from public path" (27 August 2021) |
| Cornwall Live | "Cornwall Reform UK branch mired in infighting over leadership change" (11 November 2025) |
| The Guardian | "When reality bites: the rapid rise and chaotic fall of Reform UK in Cornwall" (16 November 2025) |
| ITV News West Country | "Cornwall gardener grows whopping 23kg cabbage — but Covid robs him of prize" (1 October 2021) |
| Companies House | Nathan David Michell — officer appointments (ID: YzbQZAOajxwfgOBiSxe4RwX25S0) |
| Cornwall Council | Countryside access team statements on Engine House Trail bridleway status (via Cornwall Live) |
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