Reform loses first MSP and drops into third place at Holyrood

Amanda Bland, right, is no longer a Reform UK MSP. Pic: Michael Gillen

Reform UK has lost its first MSP as the party dropped into third place at Holyrood.

Amanda Bland has quit Nigel Farage’s party and is now listed as an independent on the Scottish Parliament website.

It means Scottish Labour is now the second biggest party in Holyrood, with Reform in third.

Ms Bland said: “To confirm today, I have formally resigned from Reform UK Scotland. This is my decision, made after careful deliberation.

“My priorities and principles remain unchanged. I entered politics to champion fairness and common sense, protect women and children, improve public services, support businesses to thrive, and work towards a fairer and more effective criminal justice system.

“As a member of the Criminal Justice Committee, I remain committed to scrutinising legislation, holding the justice system to account and supporting practical measures that improve public safety, protect victims and ensure justice is served.

“Holding the Scottish Government to account remains a key priority, and I believe I can best pursue these goals as an Independent MSP.

“My responsibility to the people and communities I represent across Central Scotland and Lothians West remains unchanged. I will continue to work hard on their behalf, focusing on the issues that matter to them.

“My focus remains firmly on representing the people of Central Scotland and Lothians West and holding the Scottish Government to account in the public interest.”

Reform UK said she should quit Holyrood.

A spokesperson for Reform UK Scotland said: “We can confirm Amanda Bland has resigned as a Reform UK member of the Scottish Parliament to sit as an independent MSP.

“We are proud of a talented and united team of MSPs at Holyrood who have supported each other at every step of the way.

“Amanda Bland should reflect on her reasons for choosing to isolate herself from that team of capable individuals.

“It is incumbent on her to resign as a regional MSP Central Scotland and Lothians West and allow her constituents to be represented by the next Reform candidate on that list.”

A person familiar with the situation said that Ms Bland had quit ahead of a meeting with business manager Max Bannerman about two members of staff who had recently left her employment.

The Reform UK source said: "She was very difficult to deal with. She had fired a member of her staff for not meeting her standards.

"Her office manager quit last week.

"She was going to be called into a meeting with Max Bannerman to see what was going on and she has left before that.

"She wasn't a team player, she didn't come along to team or MSP meetings.

"Malcolm Offord had to have a word with her after she tried to miss a policy meeting.

“She has a maverick mindset.”

Ms Bland is a former police officer and primary school teacher.

Labour has 17 MSPs, with Reform now on 16. They had finished in joint second place with 17 MSPs in May’s Holyrood election.

Labour is the single second largest party in Holyrood for the first time in a decade.

Leader Michael Marra will now get the first opportunity to question John Swinney at FMQs every week, rather than alternating with Reform UK Scottish leader Malcolm Offord.

Scottish Labour Deputy Leader Jackie Baillie said: "No one will be surprised to see chaos at the heart of Reform.

“They have always been a group of chancers, grifters and Tories in disguise.

“Despite all the big talk and promises ahead of the election, Nigel Farage's party has been utterly useless at holding the SNP to account or getting results for the Scottish people, it's been a series of stunts, gimmicks, photo calls and precious little else.

“Scottish Labour is now the second largest party at Holyrood, and we will work to hold the SNP to account and deliver better outcomes for the people of Scotland.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP David Green said: "It's no surprise to see Reform's wheels coming off just a few months after they entered the Scottish parliament for the first time. After a chaotic campaign in the spring, the party has been hit by scandal after scandal, and I'm sure more and more of its MSPs will be taking a long hard look at what they've signed up for."

A Scottish Parliament spokesperson said: "The Member wrote to the Presiding Officer today to inform him she has resigned from the party with immediate effect and will continue to serve as an independent MSP. No reason was given for the resignation."