Two Tory Aberdeenshire councillors have moved to Reform UK amidst ongoing concerns over the threat of the right wing party to the Conservatives in Scotland.
Mark Findlater, former leader of Aberdeenshire Council and Councillor Laurie Carnie, who also serves that region, were already sitting as independent councillors before they made the move to Nigel Farage’s party.
Today, Reform UK issued a statement welcoming both councillors into its ranks, saying this is 'just the start' when it came to their campaigning north of the Border.
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Mr Findlater served as a Conservative Councillor for 12 years and Councillor Carnie was elected for the Tories in 2022. Earlier this year, both stepped away from their party and became independent councillors.
A Reform UK Spokesman said: “In less than 24 hours we have seen three Councillors join Reform, both leaving the Tory party. The latest two today just go to show that the Tory brand is broken not just in England but across the United Kingdom.
“Scotland has been failed by Labour and the SNP for decades and the Scottish Tories have been utterly dismal in their opposition.
“This is just the start for Reform, we plan to campaign hard in the run up to the Holyrood election in 2026 and win seats right across Scotland.”
Their defection comes just one day after the new Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay visited the North-East in a bid to underline his commitments to the key industries of fishing and oil and gas.
Asked about their reaction to the defections, a Scottish Conservative spokesperson said: “We are focused on holding the failing SNP and Labour governments to account.”
The move follows the Reform UK leader sending a letter to 1,352 councillors across the UK, warning the "vast majority" will lose their seats if they stay with the Conservative party. Mr Farage claimed the Tory brand is "done" as he hit out at leadership contenders Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick.
Mr Farage has said he will personally campaign in Scotland ahead of the Holyrood elections in 2026, with polling suggesting his party could secure a handful of seats.
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