Former Tory councillor Todd Ferguson joins Reform after accusing party of 'losing its way'

Nigel Farage’s Reform UK has welcomed its 19th Scottish councillor.

North Ayrshire councillor Todd Ferguson joined the party’s ranks on Monday, becoming the local authority’s third Reform UK representative.

In an announcement, the party stated that the number of Conservative councillors in North Ayrshire has now halved since the last election in 2022.

The former Tory councillor Ferguson was mostly recently sitting as an independent member after voicing concerns about the treatment of an MSP in the party in July.

During the last Scottish Conservatives leadership contest, MSP Meghan Gallacher formally complained about MP and shadow Scotland secretary John Lamont, with Gallacher understood to be accusing the shadow cabinet member of threatening her career.

Lamont denied the allegations and said at the time he was considering legal action.

On social media, Ferguson, who was hired by Gallacher to work in her office, quit the party after posting a lengthy resignation statement stating the party had “lost its way, its moral authority, and its integrity.”

He has sat on the North Ayrshire council as an independent representative ever since.

“Having served as a councillor for eight years, I’ve seen a lot of changes in our political landscape, and I believe this is an exciting time for a new direction in Scotland,” Ferguson said.

Locally, he has represented the North Coast Ward since 2017.

Reform UK said Ferguson’s latest move is “another brutal blow to Scottish Conservative leader, Russell Findlay”, after several other defections, including MSP Graham Simpson, have shaken the party in recent months.

Reform 2026 campaign chair, Councillor Thomas Kerr added: “Todd Ferguson has been a good friend and colleague of mine for years. His local and national record of standing against divisive nationalist politics is exactly why he’ll be such an asset to Reform.

“This is further evidence that the Scottish Conservatives are finished politically, so much so that Russell Findlay has yet to announce if he is even standing for the area he currently represents.”

A Scottish Conservative spokesperson said: “Under Russell Findlay’s leadership, the Scottish Conservatives will continue to hold this failing SNP government to account and focus on common-sense conservative issues, like bringing down bills and growing our economy.

“As every polling expert has said, voting for Reform only helps the SNP’s chances of remaining in power.”