ANTI-BREXIT party Change UK has lost its lead candidate in Scotland for next week's European elections.
David Macdonald announced he was ending his candidacy immediately, as he urged voters to back the LibDems in a bid to keep Britain in the European Union.
With the LibDems, SNP and Greens all campaigning on an anti-Brexit ticket in the May 26 ballot, Macdonald fears the Remain vote north of the border could be "diluted", giving Nigel Farage's Brexit Party the chance to get an MEP in Scotland.
Macdonald, an independent councillor in East Renfrewshire, has written to Anna Soubry of Change UK, renouncing his candidacy "without animosity or rancour".
He said he had campaigned "passionately" for Change UK over the last three weeks, but stated: "I have made the decision at this course to stand down as a candidate for change UK and voice my support for the Liberal Democrats."
And while he insisted Change UK could still be a "force for good" in politics, he added: "I have come to the point where I have realised I must do what is best for the future of this country before anything else."
Macdonald is the second lead candidate to quit the Change UK list in Scotland, after David Russo withdrew one day into the race.
READ MORE: Change UK drop Scottish EU candidate over racism row
Speaking outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, Macdonald stated: "For me it was just purely about the mathematics of this, we're looking at a very different political landscape in Scotland from the rest of the United Kingdom.
"We have a much more diluted Remain vote in Scotland, and its become very apparent close to these elections that we are in grave danger of splitting this vote and it is very clear to me now that we need to shore up the remain vote and get behind the Scottish Liberal Democrats.
"They are the force in politics in Scotland that are the clear voice for ending Brexit and for us remaining in the European Union."
He added: "There comes a point in politics where you realise you have go to do something for the greater good."
Scottish LibDem leader Willie Rennie welcomed the decision – which comes after postal votes for the European elections have already been sent out.
Rennie said: "I am grateful for the step David has taken.
"I know it is not easy making this decision, it was difficult, and he has been considering it for quite some time.
"I think this gives us a real opportunity to send a message across Scotland that if you want to stop Brexit you need to vote Liberal Democrat."
Macdonald added: "If things continue as they are the remain vote will split in Scotland and put at risk the representation that supporters of remaining in the European Union so collectively desire."
Change UK spokesman Chuka Umuna said Macdonald has “let down” the party’s supporters.
"It is obviously disappointing that this candidate has chosen to pledge allegiance to another party,” Umuna said. “He has let down his fellow candidates and activists.
"But we are focusing all our efforts on adding to the Remain vote in the UK and challenging the pro-Brexit Tory, Brexit and Labour parties, which is why our leader challenged Nigel Farage to a live TV debate this week.
"In the past 24 hours Labour's former head of campaigns for the north of England has come out for Change UK, as have many former Labour voters.
"Winning voters over from the main parties and growing the Remain vote across the UK will continue to be our focus."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel