Nigel Farage Appoints Malcolm Offord as Reform UK’s Scottish Leader Ahead of Holyrood Election
Former Conservative minister Lord Offord to lead Reform UK’s campaign in Scotland’s May parliamentary contest as party stakes claim as chief challenger to SNP
Nigel Farage has formally appointed Malcolm Offord as the leader of Reform UK in Scotland, positioning the party for the upcoming Scottish Parliament election on May 7. Offord, a multimillionaire former Conservative government minister and peer, defected to Reform UK in December and immediately signalled his intent to contest the Holyrood vote.
At a press conference in Fife, Farage described Offord’s decision to resign from the House of Lords and lead the Scottish campaign as a bold and principled move, underscoring the broader momentum behind Reform’s bid to reshape Scotland’s political landscape in 2026. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Offord, previously parliamentary under-secretary of state for Scotland and a former Scottish Conservatives treasurer, said it was a “great honour” to be named the new Scottish leader and pledged to advance a positive vision to make Scotland “the most successful part of the United Kingdom” over the next decade.
He cast the contest as a “two-horse race” between Reform UK and the Scottish National Party, asserting that voters are seeking change after nearly two decades of SNP governance.
Farage echoed this framing, saying many Scots are looking for an alternative path and expressing confidence that Reform UK could exceed expectations at the ballot box.
Polling data released alongside the leadership announcement indicate a tightening contest for second place behind the SNP, with Reform UK and Scottish Labour both projected to capture significant regional list support.
The appointment is part of Farage’s broader strategy to broaden the party’s appeal beyond its existing base and challenge established political forces across the United Kingdom.
Offord’s transition from the Conservative Party and House of Lords to frontline Scottish politics reflects the fluid dynamics on the right of British politics ahead of key elections this year, with Reform UK aiming to consolidate defections and present itself as a credible alternative to traditional parties.
At a press conference in Fife, Farage described Offord’s decision to resign from the House of Lords and lead the Scottish campaign as a bold and principled move, underscoring the broader momentum behind Reform’s bid to reshape Scotland’s political landscape in 2026. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Offord, previously parliamentary under-secretary of state for Scotland and a former Scottish Conservatives treasurer, said it was a “great honour” to be named the new Scottish leader and pledged to advance a positive vision to make Scotland “the most successful part of the United Kingdom” over the next decade.
He cast the contest as a “two-horse race” between Reform UK and the Scottish National Party, asserting that voters are seeking change after nearly two decades of SNP governance.
Farage echoed this framing, saying many Scots are looking for an alternative path and expressing confidence that Reform UK could exceed expectations at the ballot box.
Polling data released alongside the leadership announcement indicate a tightening contest for second place behind the SNP, with Reform UK and Scottish Labour both projected to capture significant regional list support.
The appointment is part of Farage’s broader strategy to broaden the party’s appeal beyond its existing base and challenge established political forces across the United Kingdom.
Offord’s transition from the Conservative Party and House of Lords to frontline Scottish politics reflects the fluid dynamics on the right of British politics ahead of key elections this year, with Reform UK aiming to consolidate defections and present itself as a credible alternative to traditional parties.
