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Conservative MSP Graham Simpson defects to Reform
Graham Simpson is the third Conservative MSP to defect to Reform UK since April, reflecting growing support for the party in Scotland ahead of the 2026 Holyrood election.
- Graham Simpson, an MSP for Central Scotland since 2016, left the Scottish Conservatives to join Reform UK, announcing his decision alongside party leader Nigel Farage during a media event on August 27, 2025.
- Simpson revealed that several months ago he chose not to seek re-election as a candidate for the Scottish Tories, and only recently finalized his decision to join Reform UK after considerable reflection.
- Simpson stated he did not join Reform to become its Scottish leader but invited former colleagues with “great ideas for Scotland” while anticipating anger and disappointment.
- Reform UK has announced a proposal to remove as many as 600,000 individuals seeking asylum during its initial year in office if it wins the next general election, promising to expand detention facilities to accommodate 24,000 people and establish agreements for returns with nations such as Iran and Afghanistan.
- Simpson's defection marks the third Conservative MSP loss since April and indicates growing challenges for the Scottish Tories as Reform UK positions itself as a fresh alternative.
24 Articles
24 Articles
Nigel Farage’s march on Scotland gathers pace
Poor Russell Findlay. Already reeling from the resignation of one of his MSPs last week, the Scottish Tory leader has now lost another. That makes three in four months. To lose one may be misfortune, etc. Graham Simpson is the latest to flee the Conservatives’ increasingly denuded benches, becoming the first MSP for Nigel Farage’s Reform. Simpson appeared somewhat nervous, if not sleepless and traumatised, as he sat beside his new leader at the …
Nigel Farage’s new Tory recruit called "nasty little man" in car crash press conference
Nigel Farage looked delighted to announce Reform’s latest Tory defector is Scottish MSP Graham Simpson. The tone of his special announcement switched when it was pointed out that the Scottish politician had previously faced allegations of bullying a young female staff member in the past. At the press conference today, political correspondent at The Herald, Rebecca McCurdy, read out a stinging comment from a Tory source. “Graham Simpson is a path…
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