Why Reform UK's new signing Malcolm Offord can be the Scott McTominay of Scottish politics

Let me say right away, I have no idea what I shall be writing about the outcome of these dreams in late July. Be it glorious defeat or sensational jubilation, what I do believe is the decision of Malcolm Offord, currently known as Lord Offord of Garvel, is a game-changer.

For a frontbench opposition spokesman in the House of Lords and the treasurer of the Scottish Conservatives to decide he should not only leave his party of 15 or more years, but also renounce his peerage so he can stand for the Scottish Parliament is a significant moment that offers much promise.

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A vibrant, prosperous Scottish economy

Offord is a typical, unassuming Scottish success story. From a modest background in Greenock, but with the benefit of what he recognises as that once-good Scottish education, he went to London with a £2,000 overdraft. He had studied law at Edinburgh but decided it was not for him and instead made serious money in the City. But the good fortune of fellow Scots and Scotland never left him.

While maintaining his active business life over the years, he wrote economic and political papers that put the creation of a vibrant, prosperous Scottish economy at the heart of his cause. Not for the sake of making money, but because he believed the best welfare benefit is the dignity and income that comes with having a job.

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A couple of weeks ago, I invited Malcolm Offord to address a political dining club run by ThinkScotland.org on the back of his latest publication, “Wealthy Nation, Healthy Nation” and he set the gathering alive. Here was someone who was at ease recalling without notes the tragic and revealing data about Scotland’s economic and social decline since devolution.

It was self-evident by his passionate tone, his straight-talking candour, and the humility of how and why the Conservatives had failed over recent years that he was dedicated to change.

High regard for Alister Jack

Without breaking the Chatham House rules under which the dinner was conducted, Offord talked about Scotland’s deep-seated problems and how only by working together could parties pull Scotland out of its social and economic decline, how education and health must be at the heart of the solution, and that only a successful economy could rescue those most in need of help.

Of course, he gave no clue to any thoughts of how he might soon choose to depart from the Lords, nor was he unkind to Conservative colleagues such as former Scotland Secretary Alister Jack, whom he clearly holds in high regard.

After all, why on Earth would someone whose own hard work has brought the comfort of decent wealth wish to swap the ermine robes and a title with some influence but little accountability, for the snake pit and scrutiny of Scottish politics?

People shall no doubt scratch their heads and some shall ask him, but it is clear it is because he cannot abide the sorry state of Scotland under the SNP government – especially when he believes the country and its people have so much potential. Offord sees a vision of a Scotland, second only to London, as the most prosperous part of the UK. He sees innovation and hard work, building up families and communities as the necessary solution.

A track record of achievement

Offord’s move is a game-changer because Reform UK is already in the low 20s in Scottish polling without a Scottish leader – relying instead on Nigel Farage speaking out on the issues other politicians will not confront.

Now Reform has an authentic Scotsman, with a track record of achievement, a sense of what works and a willingness to make sacrifices to achieve change. Could he be the Scott McTominay of Scottish politics?

Instead of attracting committed politicians from the Labour and Conservative parties who have local experience, Reform now has a former government minister who knows how departments work and what needs done to get results. Now Reform has a member who might stand in the TV electoral hustings and provide a credible and reasoned alternative to how Scotland might become a world beater again like it once was. Is it too much to think the SNP can now be caught?

Political bravery

Of course some Scottish Conservatives will feel wounded and let down, even bitter, by Offord’s decision to join and probably lead Reform UK in Scotland. They should look through the telescope from the other end.

They should use Offord’s brave move to inspire themselves by first recognising their own poor state is because of the bad choices of past leaders in rejecting Tory policy development over the last ten years when they were the main opposition in Scotland.

They should see that their electoral reliance on building a symbiotic relationship with the nationalists – marking themselves out to be the only antidote to independence referendums – would create a legacy of dependency that would keep the SNP in charge. That is surely the true legacy of the David Mundell and Ruth Davidson years. Unless they seek to offer real alternatives, the Conservative decline will continue.

On a good day, Scotland might beat Brazil, and with focus and self-belief Hearts might just hold on to take the title flag, but more likely, I believe, is that Malcolm Offord is the game-changer that Scottish politics needs, and that I’ll be writing about him again before next July.

Brian Monteith is a former member of the Scottish and European parliaments and editor of ThinkScotland.org