Reform UK has lost its first MSP at Holyrood after Amanda Bland quit the party to sit as an independent, leaving Scottish Labour as the second-largest group in the Scottish Parliament.
Bland, who represents Central Scotland and Lothians West, confirmed on Monday that she had formally resigned from Reform UK Scotland following what she described as “careful deliberation”.
Her departure leaves Reform with 16 MSPs, one fewer than Labour’s 17. The two parties had been tied on 17 seats following May’s Scottish Parliament election.
It means Labour is now the largest opposition group at Holyrood for the first time since 2016, while Reform slips into third place.
The change is also expected to affect the running of parliamentary business. Labour leader Michael Marra is now expected to have the first opportunity to question First Minister John Swinney at First Minister’s Questions each week, rather than alternating with Reform Scotland leader Malcolm Offord.
Bland, a former police officer and primary school teacher who served as Reform’s justice spokeswoman, said her political priorities had not changed.
She said: “My priorities and principles remain unchanged. I entered politics to champion fairness and common sense, protect women and children, improve public services, support businesses to thrive, and work towards a fairer and more effective criminal justice system.”
Bland, who sits on Holyrood’s Criminal Justice Committee, said she remained committed to scrutinising legislation and holding Scotland’s justice system and the Scottish Government to account.
She added: “Holding the Scottish Government to account remains a key priority, and I believe I can best pursue these goals as an Independent MSP.”
She did not give a specific reason for her decision to leave Reform. Reform UK Scotland responded by calling on Bland to resign from the Scottish Parliament altogether.
A party spokesperson said: “We can confirm Amanda Bland has resigned as a Reform UK member of the Scottish Parliament to sit as an independent MSP.
“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.”
Under Holyrood rules, if a regional list MSP resigns their seat, the vacancy can be filled by the next eligible candidate on the party’s list from the election. Bland has instead left Reform while remaining an MSP, meaning she keeps her seat as an independent.
Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said the resignation showed “chaos at the heart of Reform”.
She said: “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 Scottish Parliament spokesperson confirmed Bland had written to Presiding Officer Kenneth Gibson to say she would serve as an independent with immediate effect.
The parliament said the Presiding Officer would inform the parliamentary bureau of changes to Holyrood business before MSPs return next week.