Malcolm Offord hires veteran ex-Labour MP as advisor as Reform looks to re-brand in Scotland
The veteran former Labour MP Ian Davidson has been brought in as an advisor to Reform UK as the party attempts to rebrand as a Scottish political force
Reform UK has hired a veteran former Labour MP as the Scottish branch bids to separate itself from the UK party.
Malcolm Offord has engaged Ian Davidson, a Labour member for 60 years, as support while the Scottish leader builds his Holyrood group from scratch.
Mr Davidson said he has no plans to join Reform UK but sees the hard right group as the “most dynamic force” in Scottish politics.
There are now suggestions Mr Offord’s group plans to formally rebrand as Reform Scotland, leaving behind the Reform UK name.
Mr Davidson, MP for Glasgow South West for more than 20 years, said his Labour membership had lapsed in February.
He said he had not “lifted a finger” for Reform during the election because of how it may have been viewed by his former colleagues.
Mr Davidson, who lost Glasgow South West to the SNP’s Chris Stephens in 2015, said he feared it may have been perceived as a betrayal by those in his former party.
Now, however, he said post-election Scotland “needs a different phase”.
“I think that Reform are the most dynamic force in Scottish politics at the moment, the ones most likely to challenge the status quo,” he said.
“And as somebody who was a member of the campaign for the Scottish assembly, I've been very disappointed by the way in which it's developed, and I think it does need basically a good kick up the arse.
“Reform are more likely to force the others to raise their game. I recognise that they're a bit inexperienced, and I think I can provide some advice.”
Reform UK took 17 seats at Holyrood, a tie with Scottish Labour.
Anas Sarwar conceded defeat in the Scottish contest shortly after 2pm on Friday, in a defeat that has left the party soul searching about its future.
Mr Davidson, a Eurosceptic, said he is to help Mr Offord’s Holyrood group on a temporary basis and emphasised he had no intention of joining the party.
The move is believed to be part of plans by the former Tory peer to appear serious about policy and positioning in the Scottish parliament.
Mr Davidson said Reform is now absolutely focused on establishing itself as a Scottish party and shifting away from the “branch office” perceptions of the outfit north of the border.
Others in the party point to campaign failures they say were instigated by the London-based communications team.
Multiple Reform insiders have told The Scotsman that the infamous racist video against Anas Sarwar released during the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election was not sanctioned by the Scottish team.
One senior source said: “It was done completely without the knowledge of the Scottish team.
“Not only did it fail, and fail badly, it made us realise we needed a stronger Scottish focus from people who actually know the lay of the land.
“We didn’t have the manpower then so we were reliant on London - now we’re ensuring we’re not.”
Mr Davidson joined Mr Offord and his group of 17 new MSPs in Glasgow on Saturday morning to mark the party’s Holyrood result.
Asked whether the group of inexperienced legislators were ready to hit the ground running, Mr Offord said: “They’re all bright people.
“They’re all experienced in their own fields, and most come from the business world, which is a great advantage to us.
“And they’re going to bring a different level of scrutiny to Holyrood.”
Scottish Labour has been contacted for comment.
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