Reform MSP quits party to sit as independent

MSP Amanda Bland has left Reform UK Scotland to sit as an independent. The resignation drops the party to third‑largest grouping at Holyrood, leaving it with one fewer member than Labour. Bland, who represents Central Scotland and Lothians West as a list MSP, has not yet made any public comment. Reform UK Scotland confirmed her departure but did not provide any reasons for the decision. A spokesperson said: "Amanda Bland should bespeak connected her reasons for choosing to isolate herself from that squad of susceptible individuals." "It is incumbent connected her to resign arsenic a determination MSP for Central Scotland and Lothians West and let her constituents to beryllium represented by the adjacent Reform campaigner connected that list." Under Holyrood’s rules, a list MSP would be replaced by the party’s next candidate from the previous election if they resign. Bland, a former senior school teacher and police officer, was among 17 Reform candidates elected to the Scottish Parliament in May when the party achieved its electoral breakthrough north of the border. The party finished joint second with Labour, behind the SNP which holds 58 seats. Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: "No 1 volition beryllium amazed to spot chaos astatine the bosom of Reform." She added that the party had been "utterly useless astatine holding the SNP to relationship oregon getting results for the Scottish people, it's been a bid of stunts, gimmicks, photograph calls and precious small else". Read the full story at BBC News →