A Scottish Labour councillor has defected to Reform UK on the eve of a pivotal Holyrood byelection, as the rightwing populist party’s leader, Nigel Farage, defended a controversial advert attacking Anas Sarwar that has prompted accusations of racism.
The Reform leader welcomed Jamie McGuire, who represents Renfrew and Braehead, as he campaigned on Monday in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse byelection, with opinion polls suggesting Reform and Labour are neck-and-neck in Scotland, albeit behind the Scottish National party.
