NORTH Ayrshire's Conservative group has been rocked by the shock news that two councillors have jumped ship to join controversial rival party Reform UK.
Elected members Stewart Ferguson, who represents Ardrossan, and Matthew McLean - for Irvine South - gave letters to Tory leader Cameron Inglis on Friday to confirm they were leaving the party.
Both are in their first terms in the local authority, although McLean previously stood as a Ukip candidate in the area.
In a press release, Farage's party said: "Both councillors are now at the forefront of delivering Reform UK's mission to restore integrity and results-driven governance to Scottish politics."
It comes as Reform UK holds a party conference in Perth, with Ferguson commenting: "Reform UK remains steadfast in its commitment to building a party that truly listens to people it serves.
"As more individuals recognise the need for a fresh approach to Scottish politics, Reform UK continues to position itself as the alternative for those seeking genuine, effective leadership.
"I am looking forward to continuing to represent my constituents under Reform."
The party has been performing well in local elections, having finished third in three Glasgow by-elections last week behind Labour and the SNP.
We told last month how two councillors in Aberdeenshire became the first to represent the party north of the Border.
The move will see the Conservative party's representation drop further within the North Ayrshire Council chambers to just six elected members.
After the election in 2022, the party had 10 representatives. This dropped to eight this year following the death of Cllr John Glover, and the standing down of Arran councillor Timothy Billings. Both vacant seats were subsequently won by the Labour party.
Despite disappointment in the recent announcement, the local Conservative party leader, Cllr Inglis, has vowed that the party will continue to fight the administration on behalf of their constituents.
He said: “They will be the only councillors I believe from this area moving to Reform although I don’t think they will be the only ones to defect. They are no longer Conservative councillors and will sit as Reform councillors.
“It is disappointing in my eyes as we are losing councillors and will be down to six councillors in the chamber.
“I believe we are the only party putting out common sense policy on tax and on justice. I think Reform are more right-wing. We are the only ones concentrating on frontline services and we have proven that through the budget exercise.
“Reform are more right wing and a party who don’t have policy in Scotland but are an English national party and they don’t represent Scottish values. We don’t see the high levels of immigration here that England sees.
"It was quite a quick movement. I spoke to them before they handed in the letters as I had heard rumours but they said there was nothing I could do to change their minds.
“We will keep going with our six good councillors and challenge the administration.”
