Labour becomes Holyrood’s second biggest party after Reform MSP resigns whip

Labour have become Scotland’s second biggest party after a Reform MSP quit the party.

Reform UK Scotland confirmed in a statement that Amanda Bland had resigned the whip and would sit as an independent, as it urged her to quit Holyrood and allow another MSP from the party to take her place.

“We can confirm Amanda Bland has resigned as a Reform UK member of the Scottish Parliament to sit as an independent MSP,” a spokesman for the party said.

“We are proud of a talented and united team of MSPs at Holyrood who have supported each other at every step of the way.

“Amanda Bland should reflect on her reasons for choosing to isolate herself from that team of capable individuals.

“It is incumbent on her to resign as a regional MSP for Central Scotland and Lothians West and allow her constituents to be represented by the next Reform candidate on that list.”

Both Reform and Labour had 17 seats following May’s election, but the decision by Ms Bland – a regional MSP for Central Scotland and Lothians West – drops her former party to 16 seats and into third place.

The decision will likely have ramifications for Reform in Holyrood, including potentially losing its second place in the order to question John Swinney at First Minister’s Questions every other week.

Ms Bland’s office has been contacted for comment.

Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie said: “No one will be surprised to see chaos at the heart of Reform.

“They have always been a group of chancers, grifters and Tories in disguise.

“Despite all the big talk and promises ahead of the election, Nigel Farage’s party has been utterly useless at holding the SNP to account or getting results for the Scottish people, it’s been a series of stunts, gimmicks, photo calls and precious little else.

“Scottish Labour is now the second largest party at Holyrood, and we will work to hold the SNP to account and deliver better outcomes for the people of Scotland.”

A spokesman for the Scottish Parliament said Ms Bland notified presiding officer Kenneth Gibson on Monday and the parliamentary bureau, the cross party body which decides on Holyrood’s business, will be notified of the impact this week.

Scottish Lib Dem MSP David Green said it was “no surprise to see Reform’s wheels coming off”, adding: “After a chaotic campaign in the spring, the party has been hit by scandal after scandal, and I’m sure more and more of its MSPs will be taking a long, hard look at what they’ve signed up for.”