Britainupdated 1h ago2 min read
Amanda Bland Quits Reform UK Scotland To Sit As Independent MSP
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Amanda Bland resigns from Reform UK Scotland to sit as an independent at Holyrood. Her departure leaves Reform UK Scotland as the third-largest group behind Labour.
Bland quits Reform
Amanda Bland quit Reform UK Scotland to sit as an independent MSP, and the Scottish Parliament website was updated accordingly. Reform UK Scotland said Bland resigned as a Reform UK member of the Scottish Parliament to sit as an independent MSP, and the party added: "Amanda Bland should reflect on her reasons for choosing to isolate herself from that team of capable individuals." Reform UK Scotland also said it was "incumbent on her to resign as a regional MSP for Central Scotland and Lothians West" so the seat could be filled by the next Reform candidate on the list.
“Published MSP Amanda Bland has quit Reform UK Scotland to sit as an independent.”
The resignation pushed Reform into third place at Holyrood behind Scottish Labour, with Labour now the second-largest party in the Parliament. The Scottish Parliament spokesperson said Bland wrote to the Presiding Officer to advise him that she would be serving as an independent Member with immediate effect, and the Parliament website was updated accordingly.
Numbers and Holyrood
Reform UK Scotland’s resignation left Reform with 16 MSPs, while Labour had 17 MSPs, after the May Holyrood election finished with Labour and Reform in joint second place. The BBC said Reform’s cohort was led by former Conservative minister Malcolm Offord, and it added that Offord is first to question John Swinney at First Minister's Questions every other week, alternating with Labour. The Holyrood Website said the change could result in changes to parliamentary business, as previously the two parties had taken turns on speaking slots and who gets the first question during weekly FMQs.
The Falkirk Herald said the resignation relegates the party to the third-largest group at Holyrood, with one member fewer than Labour. The Politics.co.uk account said Bland’s resignation leaves Reform as the third-largest group in the Scottish Parliament, one member behind Labour.
Reactions and next steps
Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: "No one will be surprised to see chaos at the heart of Reform." Baillie added that Reform had been "utterly useless at holding the SNP to account or getting results for the Scottish people," and she said Scottish Labour would work to hold the SNP to account and deliver better outcomes for the people of Scotland. Reform UK Scotland said Bland should resign as a regional MSP for Central Scotland and Lothians West, and it argued that the next Reform candidate on the list should represent constituents.
“The presiding officer will notify the bureau of associated changes to business prior to parliament resuming next week.”
The BBC reported that a Reform UK source told BBC Scotland News that Bland was "very difficult to work with" and had been called to a meeting on Wednesday to discuss a high turnover of staff in her office. The Holyrood Website said the Presiding Officer will notify the bureau of associated changes to business prior to parliament resuming next week.