A former SNP politician has officially defected to Reform UK, nearly a year after signing up to Nigel Farage's party.
John Cox announced on Wednesday that he has formally joined the Aberdeenshire Council Reform Group.
The Banff and district councillor previously represented the SNP before leaving the party in 2017. He has since sat as an Independent council member.
Cox, who was axed from a senior committee role in September, said the “timing is right” to join Reform as a councillor, not just a lay-member.
“Politics has become far too personal, and none of that helps the communities we serve,” he said.
“What people want to hear is how we are going to fix the real crises in the economy, health, education, manufacturing, fishing, agriculture, roads and housing.
“Having been associated with Reform, I’ve seen fresh thinking and a willingness to challenge old assumptions about how we address these issues.
“The mainstream parties have had more than 20 years to deliver solutions and restore trust, but the problems have only deepened.”