Councillor switched to Reform Scotland after being rejected as Tory candidate

Dominic Lonchay, a councillor for the East Garioch ward in Aberdeenshire, announced on Thursday he would be joining Nigel Farage’s party, saying there were “many” reasons for the decision, including recently being “unable to influence the running of the council for the benefit of my constituents”.

But it is understood Lonchay applied to be a candidate in 2026 but was rejected by the party.

“After eight years as councillor for Aberdeenshire Council ward, 12 with the Conservative Party, I have decided that it is time for me to leave the Conservative Party and Aberdeenshire Council administration to join Reform Scotland.

“The reasons for this decision are many, and I have particularly recently been unable to influence the running of the council for the benefit of my constituents.

“I have therefore decided to join Reform Scotland, and I look forward to working with colleagues in the unaligned group of councillors for the benefit of my constituents.”

Glasgow councillor Thomas Kerr, who himself defected from the Tories to Reform, said the party was “delighted” to have Lonchay on board, as he pinpointed the north east of Scotland as a key area.

“Aberdeenshire and Scotland’s north east have been totally abandoned by all mainstream legacy parties, Dominic, along with our current councillors in Aberdeenshire, will be crucial in this region’s fight back,” he said.

“From Clydebank to Fraserburgh, Reform UK has shown we are the only party in Scottish politics with momentum.

“If voters want to rid Scotland of this rotten SNP Government, then only Reform UK offers that opportunity.”

A spokesman for the Scottish Tories said: “Under Russell Findlay we’re reconnecting with common sense conservative values of enterprise, self-reliance, fiscal responsibility and the rule of law.

“Every poll shows that Reform will only help the SNP. As we saw in last year’s general election, they handed several seats to the SNP which would have otherwise gone to a pro-UK party.

“Reform are likely to stand pro-independence candidates in the 2026 election and Nigel Farage has even said he’s not worried about the SNP getting another five years in power.

“The Scottish Conservatives will continue to work hard to rebuild trust with disillusioned voters by holding the failing SNP Government to account and promoting common sense conservative values.”