Former Scotland Office minister Lord Malcolm Offord has quit the Scottish Conservatives to join Reform UK, appearing with Nigel Farage at a rally in Falkirk.
Offord, previously the party’s Treasurer, told supporters he will resign from the Lords and stand for Reform in the 2026 Holyrood election.
Announcing his defection, he accused the Conservatives of “giving up” on Scotland, calling them “parochial, not political” and “a party without a vision.”
“I’m concerned for Scottish politics, very concerned about what happens in Scotland,” he said.
“And that's why I'm leaving the Scottish Conservative Party… I believe [they] have given up on Scotland and… I can't do that.”
He added: "From today, for the next five months, day and night, I shall be campaigning with all of you tirelessly for two objectives.
"The first objective is to remove this rotten SNP government after 18 years, and the second is to present a positive vision for Scotland inside the UK, to restore Scotland to being a prosperous, proud, healthy and happy country."
Nigel Farage said he was “delighted” to welcome Offord, calling his move “a brave and historic act” and adding: “He will take Reform UK Scotland to a new level.”
A Scottish Conservative spokesperson warned: “Any vote for Reform next year will only tighten the SNP's grip on power at Holyrood.”