Amanda Bland quits Reform to sit as independent MSP

Amanda Bland has resigned from Reform UK Scotland and will sit as an independent MSP, leaving the party with one fewer member than Labour at Holyrood, the BBC reports. [1]

Bland represents Central Scotland and Lothians West as a regional list MSP. She has not yet commented publicly. Reform UK Scotland has called on her to resign her parliamentary seat, saying the next Reform candidate on the regional list should represent the area.

Under Holyrood’s rules, a list MSP who resigns is replaced by the next candidate on their party’s list from the last election. Bland was one of 17 Reform candidates elected to the Scottish Parliament in May, when the party finished joint second with Labour behind the SNP, which won 58 seats. [1]