Reform MSP Amanda Bland quits party to sit as independent

Member of the Scottish Parliament Amanda Bland has resigned from Reform UK Scotland to sit as an independent member, BBC News and Daily Business reported. Her departure relegates Reform UK to the third-largest group at Holyrood, placing the party one member behind Labour, according to BBC News, The Scotsman, and the Herts Advertiser. [1][2][3][4][5]

Bland represents Central Scotland and Lothians West as a list MSP, BBC News reported. She has not yet commented publicly on her decision, but Reform UK Scotland confirmed her resignation without providing specific reasons for her departure, according to BBC News. [1]

A spokesperson for Reform UK said that Bland should reflect on her decision to isolate herself from the party team, BBC News reported. The spokesperson added that it is incumbent on her to resign as a regional MSP and allow constituents to be represented by the next candidate on the Reform list. [1]

The National Scot reported that the resignation represents a major blow to Malcolm Offord. As FTMQ News reported earlier, recent polling by Ipsos showed the Conservative Party taking the lead over Reform UK as the main political opposition nationally. [1][6][9]