MSP Jeremy Balfour resigns from Conservatives

Glenn CampbellBBC Scotland political editorPA MediaJeremy Balfour has been MSP for Lothian since 2016 Scottish Conservative MSP Jeremy Balfour has give up the get together saying it has “fallen into the entice of reactionary politics” underneath Russell Findlay’s management. Balfour, who was the Tory spokesperson on social justice, mentioned he would sit as an unbiased till the Holyrood election in Could. In his resignation letter, the Lothians MSP mentioned: “More and more, selections appear to be made by advisers who lack expertise, whereas senior MSP colleagues are ignored.”The Scottish Conservatives mentioned they had been “disenchanted” by Balfour’s feedback, however wished him nicely.Balfour’s resignation leaves the get together with 29 MSPs.He’s the second MSP to go away for the reason that Tories misplaced energy at Westminster and Findlay grew to become Scottish chief in September final 12 months.West of Scotland MSP Jamie Greene defected from the Tories to the Liberal Democrats in April.PA MediaRussell Findlay was elected chief of the Scottish Conservative in September final 12 months Findlay took over as chief after a fractious inside contest left some lasting divisions.Opinion polls recommend the Tories are underneath enormous stress forward of subsequent 12 months’s Holyrood election.Findlay has promised to supply tax and spending cuts on the 2026 Holyrood election, saying he would “wield a claymore” on wasteful spending if elected.Balfour mentioned he didn’t consider the get together was occupied with tackling welfare reform “past blind slashing of budgets” which he mentioned “will put these in most want at highest danger”. In his resignation letter, seen by BBC Scotland Information, the MSP additionally accused the get together of specializing in rural areas “on the expense of our cities”. He mentioned: “I concern that the Scottish Conservatives have fallen into the entice of reactionary politics, the place a optimistic, proactive agenda for actual change has been rejected in favour of permitting insurance policies to be dictated by what different events are saying and chasing low-cost headlines.” Getty ImagesJamie Greene (centre) defected to the Scottish Liberal Democrats in AprilBalfour, who had been a member of the get together for about 40 years, was first elected on the Lothian regional record in 2016.He beforehand labored as a solicitor and Baptist minister. The MSP had a number of stints as a Conservative deputy spokesperson, together with on equalities, housing and welfare. Nonetheless, he has been on the backbenches since Findlay grew to become chief in September final 12 months, after backing his management rival Meghan Gallacher.Born with no left arm and a proper arm that ends on the elbow, Balfour has been vocal proponent for disabled rights.Earlier this 12 months he opposed assisted dying laws, citing issues for disabled folks in addition to his Christian religion. ‘Grabbing headlines’In his resignation letter Balfour mentioned weak and disabled folks had been “not going to be taken significantly” underneath new Tory insurance policies.He advised BBC Radio’s Good Morning Scotland programme: “I believe too many individuals are coming in, are drafting insurance policies who do not actually perceive the problems.”We all know that social safety price range must be checked out, however the management has simply taken the view of ‘let’s simply reduce advantages’, with out taking a look at what these advantages do – what impact that can have on employment, what impact it can have on people.”It was a very simple headline to be grabbed, However the work under that has not been accomplished and the work that I and others have accomplished, has simply been ignored.”Balfour mentioned he was but to determine whether or not to face as an unbiased in subsequent 12 months’s Scottish Parliament elections, however dominated out representing the Reform get together.He mentioned a few of his colleagues can be “sympathetic” to his choice and accused Findlay of “not greedy” the Scottish Conservative imaginative and prescient.”It is the Conservatives who’ve moved, not me,” he added.PA MediaTwo of Balfour’s former Scottish Conservative colleagues mentioned he can be “missed” by the partyThe Scottish Conservatives mentioned they had been disenchanted by his resignation letter, however had been “grateful for Jeremy’s service and need him nicely”.A spokesperson added: “The Scottish Conservatives, underneath Russell Findlay’s management, recognise that many individuals really feel utterly disconnected from politics.”It’s completely crucial that our get together continues to champion common sense Conservative values and insurance policies that concentrate on the problems of concern to hard-working Scots.”Balfour’s former Scottish Conservative colleague, Stephen Kerr MSP, mentioned he had served the get together with “integrity and dedication”.He added: “His work for probably the most weak has been an inspiration, and he can be a lot missed by his colleagues.”Fellow MSP Liz Smith mentioned : “He was an exquisite colleague – considerate and caring and he continues to be an excellent ambassador for incapacity teams.”Reform breakthroughBalfour’s resignation comes because the Conservatives have seen a number of councillors defect to Reform. Within the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election in June they slipped into fourth place behind Nigel Farage’s get together.Ballot recommend Reform may make an electoral breakthrough at subsequent 12 months’s Holyrood election. That problem from the political proper appears to have impacted how Findlay is positioning his get together.He has prioritised plans to chop what he considers wasteful public spending and to ease the transition to internet zero carbon emissions.What he has not accomplished is take all of his Holyrood colleagues with him and in dropping MSPs he dangers dropping some authority too.