Reform UK has welcomed its first peer, Malcolm Offord, following his defection from the Conservative Party. The announcement was made by party leader Nigel Farage during a rally in Falkirk on Saturday. Offord, a businessman and former Scotland Office minister, confirmed his intention to stand for Reform UK in the upcoming Holyrood elections in May 2024.

Farage expressed his delight at Offord's decision, calling it a "brave and historic act". He stated that Offord's presence would elevate Reform UK in Scotland. In his speech, Offord articulated his vision for Scotland, aiming to transform it into a "prosperous, happy, healthy country". He pledged to campaign vigorously to "remove this rotten SNP government after 18 years".

Born in Greenock, Renfrewshire, Offord was appointed a life peer by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson in 2021. He previously served as treasurer of the Scottish Conservatives and has donated nearly £150,000 to the party. Offord announced his resignation from the Conservative Party at the rally, stating, "Today I am joining Reform UK and today I announce my intention to stand for Reform in the Holyrood election in May next year."

He emphasised two main objectives for his campaign: to oust the SNP government and to present a positive vision for Scotland within the UK. Offord described his experiences with the Scottish Conservatives as disappointing, stating, "What I found, quite candidly, is a party which is regional not national, parochial not political, timid not ambitious; a party without a vision of how to govern Scotland with a right-of-centre agenda."

His defection adds to a series of high-profile exits from the Conservative Party, including Scottish Tory MSP Graham Simpson. Reform UK is reportedly polling at around 20% in Scotland, with hopes of becoming the official opposition in the Scottish Parliament, potentially relegating the Conservatives to third or fourth place.

As Reform UK prepares for the elections, it aims to field candidates in every constituency, despite having a relatively small organisational team. Offord's move is seen as a significant boost for the party, which has been actively recruiting former Conservative members disillusioned with their party's direction in Scotland.

The political landscape in Scotland is shifting, and Offord's defection may signal further changes ahead as Reform UK seeks to establish itself as a formidable force in Scottish politics.