Ex-Tory gives Farage foothold at Holyrood
Nat basher Ballantyne to lead Brexit guru’s new Reform party in Scotland
RIGHT-WING ex-Tory Michelle Ballantyne is to lead the Scots version of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party – which means he now has an MSP at Holyrood.
Ballantyne quit the Scottish Conservatives last month after clashing with the leadership on policy and direction.
She provoked more controversy just days ago in a tirade against “collective madness” in the political response to the Covid-19 emergency.
Reform UK is a rebranded version of the Brexit Party.
Farage previously led Ukip and campaigned for Britain to quit the European Union.
The appointment was unveiled by Farage’s right-hand man Richard Tice, the party chairman.
Ballantyne was elected as a Tory on the regional list in the South of Scotland, which has given her the ability to switch to a new party without facing re-election. She previously tried and failed to win election as leader of the Scottish Tories.
The next Holyrood vote is in May, although there are concerns lockdown could delay it. Ballantyne said she will not “waste time” on independence and wants to keep taxation no higher than UK levels.
Announcing the appointment, Reform UK said: “The SNP’s agenda is increasingly unchallenged in Scotland. This lack of challenge is stifling creativity.
“The Conservatives, Labour and Liberals have failed to halt the SNP’s grip on the country.”
Ball an tyne said: “Scotland has a rich history of entrepreneurs, inventors and thinkers. We have the collective strength an d endeavour of the Union and the freedom of devolution to deliver a prosperous and exciting future for everyone.”
Farage said he was “delighted” she was joining his party and would “spearhead” its campaign in the Scottish elections, although he added: “I don’t really think those elections are going to happen.”
Ballantyne added her new party would make the “positive case for the Union”, telling supporters of independence that their “dream will deliver chaos” for Scotland.
She said: “We are pro Scotland and pro the UK because we believe it is the best choice for the people of these isles.”