THE MSP who quit the Tories to become the Scottish leader of Nigel Farage's party has paid glowing tribute to the "political-one-off" as he stands down.
Michelle Ballantyne had run for the leadership of the Scottish Conservatives before quitting over "differences" in policy after Douglas Ross took over.
The South Scotland politician had been set to see out her term as an independent before becoming leader of the Scottish arm of Reform UK.
The party, founded by Nigel Farage, was known as the Brexit Party until a name-change after the UK left the bloc.
Now Farage has announced he's to stand down as Reform UK leader after achieving his "life's work".
The move leaves party chair Richard Tice in the leadership role and Farage, a former MEP, says he will go on influencing the debate" through the media and social media.
The change comes ahead of the Holyrood elections, in which Reform UK Scotland will field eight candidates.
Paying tribute to Farage on Twitter, Ballantyne said: "Farewell and good luck to a ‘political one off’.
"A man who has returned British Sovereignty to us all without ever being an MP.
"Over one million of us voted Leave in Scotland and the vaccination programme is the first glimpse of what, together, we can achieve."
Farewell and good luck to a ‘political one off’. A man who has returned British Sovereignty to us all without ever being an MP. Over one million of us voted Leave in Scotland and the vaccination programme is the first glimpse of what, together, we can achieve. https://t.co/nAepCDO3Hh
— Michelle Ballantyne MSP (@MBallantyneMSP) March 6, 2021
Farage rose to prominence through Ukip before launching the Brexit Party in spring 2019.
He was a vocally ally and advocate for Donald Trump during his presidency and is a dogged critic of the European Union and immigration.
However, he an ambition to become an MP was unsuccessful despite seven separate campaigns.
Speaking to the Sunday Telegraph, Farage said: "I know I've come back once or twice when people thought I'd gone, but this is it. It's done. It's over."
"Party politics, campaigning, being involved in elections, that is now over for me because I've achieved the one thing I set out to do: to achieve the independence of the UK."
"There is no going back — Brexit is done. That won't be reversed."
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In a statement, Reform UK Scotland said: "We thank Nigel Farage for dedicating thirty years of his life to public service and for being a voice for the more than one million Scots who voted to leave the EU.
"Further, we welcome the announcement that Richard Tice will take over as leader of Reform UK.
"With regards to the upcoming Holyrood election, we continue as we already are with Michelle Ballantyne MSP as our leader here in Scotland.
"Reform UK Scotland has full autonomy over policy, campaigning and all other aspects, and we look forward to presenting our agenda for change over the coming weeks."
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