Reform UK's Highlands Candidate Absent from Events, Party Figures Express Confusion
Mystery has deepened around one of Reform UK's leading candidates in Scotland after it was revealed he has failed to attend two significant local election engagements, with a senior party member openly admitting they have no idea who he is.
Vic Currie was selected as the number one candidate on Reform UK's regional list for the Highlands and Islands, positioning him as a potential Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Shetland following the elections scheduled for May.
Missed Appointments Raise Eyebrows
Currie did not participate in an Inclusion Scotland online event earlier this week, and subsequently was absent from hustings held at Brae High School, located on Shetland's mainland, yesterday. These omissions have fueled speculation and criticism from political opponents.
Steve Skerrett, a former Reform UK regional organiser for the Highlands and Islands, stated bluntly: 'Nobody up here has heard of him.' This admission highlights a concerning lack of local recognition for a candidate poised to represent the area.
Political Rivals Voice Strong Criticism
John Erskine, Scottish Labour's candidate for Shetland and the Highlands and Islands region, launched a scathing attack on Reform UK. He remarked: 'Reform couldn't even find a candidate their own members recognise, let alone one willing to turn up and face disabled people and school pupils in Shetland.'
Erskine, based in Lerwick, the principal town of Shetland, further accused Reform of 'not understanding Scotland', asserting: 'They (Reform) don't understand Scotland, they don't care about our communities, and all they will achieve is handing the SNP another term.' His comments underscore the heated political tensions as election day approaches.
Reform UK's Response and Candidate Details
In response to inquiries, Reform UK disclosed that Mr. Currie is a junior doctor currently based in another part of Scotland. The party indicated he plans to relocate to the area if elected, though they declined to specify his current location.
A party spokesman defended the candidate, saying: 'He will campaign there as much as possible during the campaign. We are not hiding him and he really cares about the area.' However, this assurance has done little to quell the growing doubts about Currie's visibility and commitment.
The situation raises questions about candidate selection processes and local engagement strategies within Reform UK, potentially impacting voter confidence in the lead-up to the crucial May elections.
