Glasgow Tory council leader Thomas Kerr defects to Nigel Farage's Reform UK

The leader of the Tories at Glasgow City Council has defected to Reform UK.

Thomas Kerr, councillor for Shettleston, has joined the party led by Nigel Farage and will represent them on the council.

He sits on the City Administration Committee, Licensing Committee, Planning Committee and is the Vice-Convenor of Glasgow’s Licensing Board.

Kerr is the fifth councillor in Scotland to join Reform UK.

He said: “Joining Reform UK is a significant turning point for me. My own experiences with addiction, losing my father and watching my mother recover, have shaped my desire to make real, lasting change.

“I am committed to ensuring that every person in Scotland who is struggling with addiction has access to the support and recovery services they need to rebuild their lives.

“Reform UK represents the change our communities desperately need, and I’m excited to continue my work for Shettleston with this dynamic new party.”

It comes after First Minister John Swinney said he will confront rather than “cosy up to” Reform after a poll suggested Farage’s party would win seats in the 2026 election and give Holyrood a pro-union majority.

Analysis of the poll put the SNP on 53 seats, Labour on 25 and the Conservatives and Reform UK joint third on 15 seats each.

Farage’s party do not currently have any MSPs.

The Survation poll for the Holyrood Sources podcast and True North Advisors also had the Liberal Democrats on 12, and the Scottish Greens on 10.

The 2021 election saw the SNP win 64 seats, Conservatives 31, Labour 22, Scottish Greens eight and the Liberal Democrats four.

The First Minister was asked about the results as he spoke to journalists following a poverty summit in Stirling.

He said: “What’s very noteworthy about the poll is the strength of the SNP position given the challenges and difficulties that we have faced, particularly in the general election back in July.

“I think what that indicates and perhaps confirms is my view that the SNP is recovering from its difficulties but has not yet fully recovered.”

He said he did not agree with Reform UK’s outlook on immigrants, saying he welcomed migrants who come to contribute to Scotland.

Swinney said: “That has always been my view, it will always be my view.

“It will not be the view taken by those who advocate for reform nor those prepared to cosy up to Reform.

“And I will not cosy up to Reform, I will confront Reform.”