Scottish Tory MSP Jeremy Balfour resigns over 'reactionary politics'

Scottish Conservative MSP Jeremy Balfour has resigned from the party and will sit as an independent.

In his resignation letter to party leader Russell Findlay, Balfour said the Scottish Conservatives have “fallen into the trap of reactionary politics” and that a “positive, proactive agenda for real change” has been rejected.

Balfour said he intends to continue to represent his constituents in the Lothian region for the remainder of the parliamentary session as an independent MSP.

In his letter, also posted on social media, Balfour said he has made the decision to resign with immediate effect with a “heavy heart”.

However, he said: “I no longer feel that the party has a positive platform to offer the people of Scotland.”

Balfour said: “Increasingly, decisions seem to be made by advisers who lack experience, while senior MSP colleagues are ignored.

“I fear that the Scottish Conservatives have fallen into the trap of reactionary politics, where a positive, proactive agenda for real change has been rejected in favour of allowing policies to be dictated by what other parties are saying and cheap headlines.”

Balfour has represented the Lothian region since 2016.

He is the second MSP to leave the party in recent months, after Jamie Greene quit the Tories in April and joined the Liberal Democrats.

A Scottish Conservative spokesperson said: “We are disappointed to read these comments but grateful for Jeremy’s service and wish him well.

“The Scottish Conservatives, under Russell Findlay’s leadership, recognise that many people feel completely disconnected from politics.

“It is absolutely critical that our party continues to champion common-sense Conservative values and policies that focus on the issues of concern to hard-working Scots.

“All our members and supporters expect us to work hard to deliver the change that Scotland needs after 18 years of damaging and divisive SNP rule.”