Former SNP Aberdeenshire councillor defects to Nigel Farage's Reform UK

A former SNP councillor in Aberdeenshire has defected to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.

John Cox announced on Wednesday that he has taken the decision to formally join the Aberdeenshire Council Reform Group.

The Banff and district councillor previously represented the SNP before being kicked out in 2017. He has since sat as an Independent council member.

In September, Cox was axed from a senior committee role he had held for three years.

In September, Aberdeenshire Council co-leader Conservative Stewart Adams called for Cox to be removed from his role as vice-chairman of the business services committee.

Cox claimed Tory higher-ups “put pressure on individuals” to ensure he was removed from the council coalition.

Cox slammed the “relentless toxic blame culture” from Labour, the Conservatives and the SNP, and he said the “timing is right” to join Reform.

“Politics has become far too personal, and none of that helps the communities we serve,” he said.

“What people want to hear is how we are going to fix the real crises in the economy, health, education, manufacturing, fishing, agriculture, roads and housing.

“Having been associated with Reform, I’ve seen fresh thinking and a willingness to challenge old assumptions about how we address these issues. The mainstream parties have had more than 20 years to deliver solutions and restore trust, but the problems have only deepened.

Cox is the sixth Aberdeenshire councillor to defect to Reform UK.

A Reform UK spokesman said: “We are delighted to welcome John to Reform UK. He is an excellent addition to our growing team in Aberdeenshire as we build towards the next general election.”