Argyll and Bute councillor Daniel Hampsey defects to Nigel Farage's Reform

Argyll and Bute councillor Daniel Hampsey has defected to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.

The former Tory councillor defected at a party press conference on Monday morning, where the newly announced leader of Reform UK Scotland made his leadership speech.

Hampsey has become the 22nd Scottish councillor to join Farage’s party.

“I am delighted to have joined Reform UK. It is clear that Reform is the only alternative to the broken political establishment in Scotland,” Hampsey said.

“I am confident with the leadership of Malcolm Offord, Reform will bring the much-needed change that the people of Scotland are crying out for.

Daniel Hampsey with Reform UK Scotland leader Malcolm Offord STV News

Malcolm Offord, a former Tory minister who defected late last year, was chosen to lead the party into the Holyrood election in May.

The Scottish businessman and financier said his new party now has 12,500 members in Scotland.

Offord claimed the election, which is in 101 days, is “now a straight choice between Reform and the SNP”.

“We need a change in government, but not just a change in government, but a change in the political system,” he said.

“Our political class has created a welfare state that does not create wealth.

“Contrary to SNP rhetoric, [the state of the country] has not been caused by a lack of money.”

Offord added: “Modern professional politicians have never worked in business, have never had to generate their own revenue, have never had to make payroll on a Friday.”