Blow for Scottish Conservatives as MSP quits party in protest at 'reactionary politics'

Jeremy Balfour blasted Scots Tory leader Russell Findlay for failing to promote a "positive agenda for real change".

The Scottish Conservatives have been branded a "sinking ship" after another MSP announced they were quitting the party.

Jeremy Balfour, who has served the Lothian region since 2016, blasted party leader Russell Findlay for falling "into the trap of reactionary politics, where a positive agenda for real change has been rejected".

The MSP is a veteran campaigner for helping more disabled people find work, having been born with limb disabilities himself.

But he today claimed the Tories are not a party intent on helping society’s most vulnerable and accused Findlay of having "abandoned the effort".

Balfour is the second Scots Tory MSP to quit the party in the last six months after Jamie Greene defected to the Lib Dems in April.

It comes at a time the Conservatives are trailing Reform UK in the polls with just eight months before the next Holyrood election.

SNP MSP George Adam said: "The Scottish Conservatives under Russell Findlay's disastrous leadership have completely fallen apart.

"It is welcome to see Jeremy Balfour come to his senses on the reality of the Tories in Scotland, as they become increasingly extreme to pander to the politics of Nigel Farage.

"With yet another MSP ditching the party, it's clear the Tories are in freefall in Scotland as we approach the 2026 election. The only question remaining is who'll be next to desert the sinking ship?"

In a letter to the party leader, Balfour said: "I have found that there is little interest from the leadership in genuine policy innovation, particularly across the Social Justice and Social Security portfolio. Increasingly, decisions seem to be made by advisors who lack experience, while senior MSP colleagues are ignored.

"Social Security in Scotland is reaching a breaking point, and I have tried time and again to convince leadership that this is an issue that we need to deal with seriously. My efforts, however, have been unsuccessful."

Balfour continued: "Increasingly, decisions seem to be made by advisers who lack experience, while senior MSP colleagues are ignored.

“I fear that the Scottish Conservatives have fallen into the trap of reactionary politics, where a positive, proactive agenda for real change has been rejected in favour of allowing policies to be dictated by what other parties are saying and cheap headlines.”

Balfour said he intends to continue to represent his constituents in the Lothian region for the remainder of the parliamentary session as an independent MSP.

Liz Smith, a veteran Scottish Conservative who is standing down at the next election, said: "So very sorry to see Jeremy Balfour leave the party. He was a wonderful colleague - thoughtful and caring and he continues to be an outstanding ambassador for disability groups. I hope we will all reflect upon the reasons for his departure."

A Scottish Conservative spokesperson said: "We are disappointed to read these comments but grateful for Jeremy’s service and wish him well.

"It is absolutely critical that our party continues to champion common-sense Conservative values and policies that focus on the issues of concern to hard-working Scots.

"All our members and supporters expect us to work hard to deliver the change that Scotland needs after 18 years of damaging and divisive SNP rule."

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