Calls for by-election after councillor defects to Farage's Reform

A Renfrewshire councillor who defected to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK has been told by a political rival he should stand down and trigger a by-election.

It was announced Alec Leishman, who represents Erskine and Inchinnan, had switched from the Conservatives on Wednesday morning.

The elected member described it as “uplifting” to have become a member of a party that “stands for something” in a statement.

He said: “When I joined the Conservatives, I did so because it looked to be the only party willing to reflect the values, work ethic and patriotism of aspirational working-class communities like those in which I was raised and which I am now honoured to represent as a councillor.

“But the Conservative Party has drifted very far from conservatism in the past few years, positioning itself as a centrist option in an arena that is already overcrowded by centrists.

“They forgot their voters and their values but I never forgot mine and now I’ve been welcomed into a party that shares those values… As to Labour and the SNP, well, I can’t get a cigarette paper between those two when it comes to social issues or the economy and – my word – how they both love to tax hard-workers and to punish entrepreneurs.”

Councillor Leishman was elected to represent ward 12 in May 2022 and served as depute leader of the Conservative group.

His decision to change political allegiance prompted SNP council leader Iain Nicolson, also an Erskine and Inchinnan representative, to suggest a by-election should take place.

He said: “I will make no apology for our policies which have always supported the most vulnerable in our society, an example being bringing in a school winter clothing grant, uprating carers allowances and continuing to promote employment opportunities and jobs – policies he has consistently opposed at every turn.

“We continue and will always continue to make Renfrewshire a great place to live… Councillor Leishman could make Renfrewshire an even greater place to live if he stood down and created a by-election so the good people of Erskine and Inchinnan can choose if they want a councillor aligned to a private company like Reform or will he arrogantly impose one on them, demonstrating his contempt for them?”

Councillor Leishman responded: “I can categorically state that I have never opposed any poverty-relief measures ever and the record will back me on that.

“Councillor Nicolson’s claims about Reform UK being a private company are already outdated. Reform has today passed its ownership over to its members.

“I reject his claims that I am demonstrating contempt for my constituents, I have the utmost respect for my constituents and judging from my inbox over the past two days my defection to Reform is being warmly welcomed and encouraged.

“Now that I belong to a party that actually stands for something, I can represent my constituents a lot more confidently with a clearer vision of what to offer them for the present and the future.”

Councillor Sam Mullin, a Labour representative for Erskine and Inchinnan, expressed shock at Councillor Leishman’s decision to defect.

He said: “I’ve worked with Alec on a couple of things in Erskine. He’s a guy I had a lot of time for and I’m just surprised at what’s happened there.

“Politics is one of those games. We’re in the chambers and it’s like a boxing ring – you fight your own corner and for what you believe – but once the bell stops we’re all back talking again.”

Councillor James MacLaren, a former colleague of Councillor Leishman’s and representative for Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank, said: “I’m a little surprised that he has made the switch.

“I first heard about it on Wednesday and I didn’t see it coming. I think the Conservative group will just carry on as normal.

“It will be interesting to see if he makes an appearance at the forthcoming full council meeting and in what guise.”