Seventh Aberdeenshire councillor defects to Nigel Farage's Reform UK

Another Aberdeenshire councillor has joined Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.

Alan Simpson Buchan, who sat as an independent representing the Peterhead North and Rattray Ward, was announced as the party’s latest defector on Wednesday.

Reform has more than 22 councillors in local authorities across Scotland. Councillor Buchan’s defection means there are now seven Reform members in Aberdeenshire.

Reform said councillor Buchan had lived and worked in Peterhead his whole life, in the printing industry and previously as a fisherman.

“Peterhead has seen a huge decline of its industrial base over the last 30 years,” councillor Buchan said on Wednesday.

“This has pushed large areas of the town into zones of ‘heart breaking child poverty’ according to one of the leading UK Food Banks.

“Instead of protecting and advancing the Peterhead community, the area has been used as a political football which has forced out the local RAF base, hitting the fishing industry and crippling the oil and gas sector.

“The only political party that is prepared to support the communities and industries of the North East of Scotland is the Reform Party.”

A Reform UK spokesman said: “We are thrilled Alan has joined Reform UK. With his vast local expertise, he is an excellent addition to our growing team in Aberdeenshire.”