Malcolm Offord reveals Reform UK Holyrood reshuffle

Malcolm Offord has announced a Reform UK reshuffle following the departure of Amanda Bland.

The Central Scotland and Lothians West MSP quit the party just five months after being elected, and will now sit as an independent.

Bland, who compared sitting in the Reform UK group to being in a coercively controlled relationship, had been its justice spokesperson.

The party has now moved former finance spokesperson Kim Schmulian into that role, along with several other changes to its team.

While leader Offord had handled the economy and public sector reform briefs, those now go to Angela Ross and business manager Max Bannerman respectively. Ross will also take on education.

Offord’s deputy Thomas Kerr, who had handled social justice and housing, now takes responsibility for housing, community cohesion, public safety and drugs.

Now covering children and young people and tertiary education, Senga Beresford hands over the constitution to Vic Currie, who previously covered drugs, alcohol and sport.

Graham Simpson adds tourism to his existing transport brief, while Amanda Lindsay adds education to her portfolio, which has been retooled away from “women and equalities” to “women and girls”.

David Smith remains on veterans, but swaps his community care brief to social mobility and also takes on neurodiversity, mental health and population health, while Mark Simpson exchanges victims and community justice for business and work.

David Kirkwood remains on innovation and technology, while Julie McDougall retains local government, Duncan Massey sticks with energy, and Helen McDade keeps health.

Bland’s departure has seen Reform drop from level pegging with Labour to become the parliament’s third largest group on 16 MSPs.

Offord, who has accused Bland of “squatting” in her seat, said the reshuffle will mean the party benefits from its “great mix of experience, skill and determination”.

He said: “Over the first six months of this parliament, we’ve seen the impact their contributions have had in bringing fresh perspective to a tired Holyrood.

“Our objective for this seventh Holyrood parliament is simple – to prioritise an alternative vision for a prosperous Scotland - this is the only way to re-engage with the two million Scots who did not vote in May.

“This Reform shadow cabinet will drive that ambition forward.”