Nigel Farage has secured Reform's first councillors in Scotland (Image: Getty)
Two former Tories in Aberdeenshire have defected to Reform UK just hours after Nigel Farage wrote to hundreds of councillors urging them to switch party allegiance.
Mark Findlater, a former leader of Aberdeenshire Council, and his colleague Laurie Carnie have become the first to represent the party in Scotland after recently leaving the Tories.
Mr Findlater left the Scottish Tories earlier this year, but did not publicly speak about his reasoning, while Ms Carnie also left the party’s group on the council this month.
It comes as earlier today, Reform welcomed its first Tory defector since Farage's letter in the form of Jamey McIvor, a county councillor in Essex.
He predicted he will be the "first of many" county councillors for Reform UK ahead of the May 2025 local elections.
READ MORE: Farage erupts at slavery reparation demands as he issues warning to Starmer [LATEST]
Get the latest politics news straight to your phone Join us on WhatsApp Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Mr Farage issued a call for Tory councillors to quit and join his party last night, just three months after the party secured five seats in the House of Commons.
Reform UK regional organiser Martyn Greene said this was “just the start” for the party, which saw its best showing in Scotland in the Aberdeenshire North and Moray East seat at the election earlier this year.
He added that the moves show “the Tory brand is broken not just in England but across the United Kingdom”.
In the bombshell letter to 1,352 county councillors, the MP for Clacton-on-Sea wrote: “The Conservative Party is a busted flush – these 1352 councillors are watching their time in office tick away, whilst they argue between themselves on whether to choose a Leader that’s undergone a damascene political conversion and a someone who won’t leave the ECHR.
“I urge any Conservative Party Councillors who believe in their country and share our values to join Reform UK as we build on the extraordinary inroads we made at the General Election.”
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Nigel Farage sets his sights on Rishi Sunak's seat as ex-PM rumoured to be quitting
Comments
Nigel Farage launches three-point attack on Keir Starmer over 'insulting' decision
Comments
I interviewed Kemi Badenoch - and one moment left me puzzled
Comments
One reason Nigel Farage may come out on top after Labour Party's Donald Trump blunder
Comments
Nigel Farage erupts as he accuses Labour of 'direct interference' in US election
Comments
Special relationship between US and UK explained and why Starmer may have just ruined it
Comments
Nightmare for Keir Starmer as Reform launches bombshell new plan to storm Labour heartland
Comments
Keir Starmer will lose majority if one Tory leadership candidate wins: POLL
Comments
Lee Anderson mercilessly mocks former EU Chief over 'way off the mark' Brexit prediction
Comments
Kemi Badenoch promises to defeat Farage and Starmer in chest-thumping exclusive interview
Comments
Nigel Farage milkshake throwing suspect Victoria Thomas Bowen arrives at court for trial
Comments
Shock poll reveals Reform overtaking Tories in Wales as it closes in on two main parties
Comments
What Labour Party and Tories keep getting wrong about Reform UK and Nigel Farage
Comments
Nigel Farage erupts over UK military base as he asks 'is it worth paper it's written on?'
Comments
Nigel Farage writes to every Tory councillor inviting defections ahead of local elections
Comments
Reform sees first Conservative councillor defector - weeks after expulsion from the Tories
Comments
Turning point for Reform UK as Nigel Farage reveals shock poll puts them 'ahead of Labour'
Comments
Nigel Farage's Reform UK claims it now has more members than the Conservatives
Comments
Nigel Farage erupts at slavery reparation demands as he issues warning to Keir Starmer
Comments
Robert Jenrick takes 'retirement' swipe at Nigel Farage in savage war of words
Comments
Nigel Farage sets his sights on Rishi Sunak's seat as ex-PM rumoured to be quitting
Comments
Nigel Farage launches three-point attack on Keir Starmer over 'insulting' decision
Comments
I interviewed Kemi Badenoch - and one moment left me puzzled
Comments
One reason Nigel Farage may come out on top after Labour Party's Donald Trump blunder
Comments
Nigel Farage erupts as he accuses Labour of 'direct interference' in US election
Comments
Special relationship between US and UK explained and why Starmer may have just ruined it
Comments
Nightmare for Keir Starmer as Reform launches bombshell new plan to storm Labour heartland
Comments
Keir Starmer will lose majority if one Tory leadership candidate wins: POLL
Comments
Lee Anderson mercilessly mocks former EU Chief over 'way off the mark' Brexit prediction
Comments
Kemi Badenoch promises to defeat Farage and Starmer in chest-thumping exclusive interview
Comments
Nigel Farage milkshake throwing suspect Victoria Thomas Bowen arrives at court for trial
Comments
Shock poll reveals Reform overtaking Tories in Wales as it closes in on two main parties
Comments
What Labour Party and Tories keep getting wrong about Reform UK and Nigel Farage
Comments
Nigel Farage erupts over UK military base as he asks 'is it worth paper it's written on?'
Comments
Nigel Farage writes to every Tory councillor inviting defections ahead of local elections
Comments
Reform sees first Conservative councillor defector - weeks after expulsion from the Tories
Comments
Turning point for Reform UK as Nigel Farage reveals shock poll puts them 'ahead of Labour'
Comments
Nigel Farage's Reform UK claims it now has more members than the Conservatives
Comments
Nigel Farage erupts at slavery reparation demands as he issues warning to Keir Starmer
Comments
Robert Jenrick takes 'retirement' swipe at Nigel Farage in savage war of words
Comments
Nigel Farage sets his sights on Rishi Sunak's seat as ex-PM rumoured to be quitting
Comments
Nigel Farage launches three-point attack on Keir Starmer over 'insulting' decision
Comments
I interviewed Kemi Badenoch - and one moment left me puzzled
Comments
One reason Nigel Farage may come out on top after Labour Party's Donald Trump blunder
Comments
Nigel Farage erupts as he accuses Labour of 'direct interference' in US election
Comments
Special relationship between US and UK explained and why Starmer may have just ruined it
Comments
Nightmare for Keir Starmer as Reform launches bombshell new plan to storm Labour heartland
Comments
Trending
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
“Scotland has been failed by Labour and the SNP for decades and the Scottish Tories have been utterly dismal in their opposition,” Mr Greene said.
“This is just the start for Reform, we plan to campaign hard in the run-up to the Holyrood election in 2026 and win seats right across Scotland.”
A spokesman for the Scottish Tories said: “We are focused on holding the failing SNP and Labour governments to account.”