Councillor who quit ‘far-Left’ SNP now joins Tories

A FORMER SNP councillor has defected to the Tories after admitting he thinks Scotland is better off in the UK.

Andrew Wood, a councillor in Dumfries and Galloway, said he was concerned about the financial impact of the deficit an independent Scotland would face.

He also complained about the SNP becoming a ‘far-Left extremist movement that is buying votes by giving out freebies’.

Mr Wood, pictured, who has been an SNP member for 20 years and quit the party last year, said: ‘I know many SNP members will not like to read the truth, but at present Scotland is benefiting financially from being in the UK.’

He initially sat as an independent but has now joined the Tory group on the council.

In an interview with the Dumfries & Galloway News, he said: ‘The SNP has changed dramatically since the last referendum on independence, with a major influx of disenfranchised Labour supporters, plus Yes campaigners.

‘The SNP is no longer a slightly Left of centre party but a far-Left extremist movement that is buying votes by giving out freebies, passing legislation that gives greater state control while curtailing free speech, misleading a membership in the belief that Scotland can rejoin the EU, and regain our fishing rights offering a prosperous outcome.’

A Scottish Conservative spokesman said: ‘This is a damning verdict from a former SNP councillor on his party’s lack of honesty over what an independent Scotland would look like.

‘Councillor Wood has delivered a few home truths on how we truly are better off in the United Kingdom. It is pleasing he has seen the light and joined the Conservative group on Dumfries and Galloway Council.’

An SNP spokesman said: ‘Andrew left the SNP months ago. And he seems to have left reality behind as well with comments like that.’