TORY defector and former minister Malcolm Offord has been announced as Reform UK’s new leader in Scotland by Nigel Farage.
The former Scotland Office minister and peer, who defected to Reform in December, was announced as the party's new Scottish leader at a press conference in Kirkcaldy on Thursday.
The only other person thought to have been in the running was Thomas Kerr, a Glasgow councillor who also defected from the Tories who has been a key spokesperson for the party north of the Border.
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"Lord Offord of Garvel" is a multi-millionaire who made his fortune in the City of London, said in an interview earlier this month, that he was “in it to win it” and hoped to become first minister one day. He announced that he would be quitting the Lords on January 30.
Offord then said: “It’s a great honour to be named today as the new leader of Reform UK Scotland. I shall be campaigning hard between now and May, 7, to communicate a positive vision of how we can all work together to make Scotland the most successful part of the UK in the next 10 years.
“We represent ordinary, decent, hardworking Scots who are fed up with mid-table mediocrity in Holyrood. Which is why we will be fielding Reform candidates in all 73 constituencies with one sole objective: to get Scotland back to the top of the table.
“Make no mistake, this is now a two-horse race between Reform and the SNP."
Farage said:"I have every confidence in the appointment of Malcolm, he has already shown his country that he is devoted to it. Now, he will lead it to a greater future."
Offord has previously called for a discussion on introducing charges into the NHS and rolling back free prescriptions. He was also previously a vocal cheerleader of immigration, arguing it would “turbo charge” Scotland’s economy.
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SNP deputy leader Keith Brown MSP has questioned Reform's policies in Scotland, such as how they plan on tackling energy bills, views on education, or eradicating child poverty.
He said: “Nigel Farage appointing his man in Scotland underlines exactly what Reform is – a bunch of former Tories who Scotland has already rejected time and time again, pretending to be on the side of ordinary people.
“Now that Offord is in post, the people of Scotland deserve to know where he actually stands on the key issues facing them. He cannot get away with just ranting on the sidelines.
“Where does he stand on tackling energy bills? What are Reform’s views on education or eradicating child poverty?
“And most importantly, does he believe in bringing in charges for using the NHS as he has hinted at before? Because we all know that Nigel Farage is gunning for our NHS the second he gets the chance.
"Offord and Farage don’t want to answer these questions – because they know people in Scotland will not like their answers. The fact is that Lord Offord will do exactly what he is told by Nigel Farage. That is why his party cannot be trusted with any influence in Scotland – and the SNP will oppose them every step of the way."
Scottish Green Co-leader Gillian Mackay has also questioned Offord's appointment, claiming Reform is the party of "millionaires and the super-rich".
She said: “Malcolm Offord is one of the wealthiest and most right-wing people to ever lead a political party in Scotland.
"As a Tory Minister and major donor he backed some of the cruellest and most punishing policies pursued by any UK government this century.
“It goes to show whose interests Reform really has at heart. They are the party of millionaires and the super-rich.
“Reform’s campaign will be bankrolled by a lot of the people who poured money into the Tories and benefited from policies that led to mass cuts and plunged families all over Scotland into poverty.
“This May, every vote for the Scottish Greens will be a vote for a fairer, greener and independent Scotland and to reject the failed Tory tribute policies of Reform.”
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