Story perspectives

Amanda Bland quits Reform UK, sits as independent MSP

By Drooid · Oct 19, 2026, 2:47 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Amanda Bland resigned from Reform UK Scotland to sit as an independent MSP.
Her departure reduces Reform UK to Holyrood’s third-largest group, one seat behind Labour.
Bland, a former primary-school teacher and police officer, was elected among 17 Reform UK MSPs in May 2026.
Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie called Reform UK “utterly useless” and warned more MSPs may leave.

History

Historical Context

In February 2019, twelve Conservative and Labour MPs left to form the Independent Group, later Change UK, briefly holding about 10 % of the 650-seat Commons (?65 seats). The party won only three seats in the December 2019 election. Amanda Bland’s 2026 resignation from Reform UK Scotland, reducing it to 16 MSPs—one fewer than Labour—mirrors that split and reshapes Scotland’s parliamentary balance.

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Story summary

Amanda Bland resigned from Reform UK Scotland to sit as an independent MSP.
Her departure reduces Reform UK to Holyrood’s third-largest group, one seat behind Labour.
Bland, a former primary-school teacher and police officer, was elected among 17 Reform UK MSPs in May 2026.
Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie called Reform UK “utterly useless” and warned more MSPs may leave.

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