Reform leader Offord brands opponents ‘disrespectful’ at end of election count

Reform UK’s Scottish leader has said his party is “behind the curve” north of the border, as he branded opponents “disrespectful” for not staying until the end of an election count.

Speaking in a nearly empty counting hall at the Braehead Arena in Renfrew, Lord Malcolm Offord said he had been disappointed not to win the constituency in which he was running.

Lord Offord finished third in Inverclyde, though he was still elected on the regional list.

With almost all Scottish Parliament seats declared, Reform are vying with Scottish Labour for second place.

Reflecting on his party’s performance in Scotland, Lord Offord said: “Well we’re just behind the curve I think. There’s a whole movement in the UK and Reform has been further ahead in England.

“Two years ago we had something like 5% of the vote, we’ve now got ourselves to 15% plus.

“We’ve got a good bloc of MSPs going to Holyrood, starting on Monday, with one region still to go.”

Discussing the result in Greenock, he said: “Of course I’m disappointed to come third, but the objective was always, frankly, to get good list representation, and we’ve done that today.”

He said his political opponents were “disrespectful” for not staying at the count in Renfrew until the end, saying: “I think I’m here till the end because we recognise that voters all came to the polls.

“Being in the polling station yesterday was quite a humbling experience, watching democracy in action.”

He added: “The least thing I could do was wait until the end, and I’m glad I’ve done that.”

Lord Offord had earlier said he fought the Holyrood election to become Scotland’s first minister.

But he admitted it would be difficult to beat the incumbent SNP in the seat of Inverclyde.

Asked if he was still running to be first minister, he said: “I have said on a personal point of view, I’ve always said I’m in this to be first minister. I believe I could do this job if the Scottish people vote for that.

“If not then we will be a strong voice in opposition.”

Lord Offord pledged to “hold the government to account” on devolved matters and “stop the debate about constitutional matters reserved to Westminster” if Reform becomes the second largest party.

Reacting to Reform wins in local elections in England, he described the results as “historic”.

He added: “Not just historic for Reform, but historic for the UK.

“When you think about it, until about 40 years ago the two parties would always get 90%-plus of the votes.

“Now, it’s just the total collapse of the Labour vote, and Conservatives have gone backwards again after a total collapse of two years ago. So it’s a very different landscape.”