A South Lanarkshire councillor has become the latest member of local government to join Nigel Farage’s Reform party from the Conservatives.
Poppy Corbett made the announcement on Friday morning, having served as a Tory councillor since 2017.
“This was not a decision that was taken lightly, but sadly, the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party no longer represent the people I think it should,” councillor Corbett said in a Facebook post.
She is the latest Tory councillor to defect to Reform UK, and her announcement comes one week after Reform came third in a Glasgow North East by-election.
SNP candidate Donna McGill won the local race, but Nigel Farage’s Reform party scored a significant 23.6% of votes, with candidate Rob Maddison coming in third, behind Labour.
It also follows claims by Reform UK’s deputy leader Richard Tice that the First Minister is “terrified” of the party’s growing support in Scotland.
Tice said Reform UK has “almost got more members now in Scotland than the Labour Party”.
Polls across the UK suggest Reform is now more popular than Labour, while in Scotland it could have enough support to win its first ever group of MSPs at Holyrood in next May’s election.
The party said it was “delighted” to welcome councillor Corbett.
“It’s clear we have all the momentum in Scottish politics,” Reform said on X.
Corbett said: “Reform UK are ready to fight for common sense and a real change for Scotland. I am here to help my constituents in any way I can and I hope you can support me and respect my decision.”
The Scottish Conservatives said: “We wish Poppy well in the future.
“The Scottish Conservatives will continue to work hard to rebuild trust with disillusioned voters by holding the failing SNP government to account and promoting common sense conservative values.”
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