Nigel Farage has appointed a former Conservative minister and major party donor to lead Reform UK's charge in Scotland, in a significant move ahead of May's crucial elections.
From Tory Peer to Reform Frontman
The party's new Scottish leader is Lord Malcolm Offord, a millionaire businessman who previously served as a minister in the Conservative government. Farage made the announcement at a press conference in Fife on Thursday 15 January 2026.
Lord Offord, who was made a life peer by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson in September 2021, defected to Mr Farage's party in December. He has confirmed he will give up his seat in the House of Lords and return his peerage to campaign for a seat in the Scottish Parliament.
"I will be standing for election to Holyrood in May as good old Malcolm Offord," he stated, signalling a dramatic shift from the Westminster benches.
A Significant Defection and Donor
The appointment represents a major coup for Reform UK, tapping into a figure deeply embedded in Scottish Conservative circles. Lord Offord previously served as Scottish Conservative party treasurer and donated approximately £150,000 to the party.
He held the role of exports minister in the Tory government until Labour's victory in the 2024 general election. His defection last month was accompanied by a stark criticism, declaring he believed the Scottish Conservatives had "given up" on Scotland.
Photographers at the Fife event captured a letter from his office, which appeared to formally confirm his wish to retire from the Lords, underlining the seriousness of his commitment to the new role.
Gearing Up for a May Showdown
This leadership announcement is the latest in a series of strategic moves by Reform UK as it prepares for the local elections in May 2026. Political analysts predict these contests could see a surge for Farage's party, potentially at the expense of a struggling Labour administration.
By installing a high-profile, well-connected figure like Lord Offord to lead their Scottish campaign, Reform UK is clearly aiming to convert widespread voter discontent into tangible electoral gains. The party is positioning itself as a direct challenger to the established political order in Scotland.
The coming months will test whether this significant defection can translate into a viable political force capable of reshaping the landscape at Holyrood.
