Malcolm Offord: I have lost friends by defecting to Reform UK

The former Conservative peer has recently been announced as Reform’s leader in Scotland, and he is hoping to become an MSP at the upcoming Holyrood election.

During an interview with BBC Scotcast, he said other political parties are “closing ranks” against his new party and said he wants to disrupt the “cosy” Holyrood bubble.

When asked if he had lost any friends on the back of his defection, Mr Offord said: “Yes, I have. Not what I would call my closest friends, but situational friends, and certainly friends in the Conservative Party.

“In this business you have to roll with it, but have I lost a close buddy, no.

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“A couple of people have said they cannot support what the party stands for and said ‘I know what you stand for and I know you are different, but now you have that badge I cannot support that’.

“That’s a sacrifice you have to make because I believe in the cause. I want Scotland to be more successful and have cohesive communities.

“People don’t like change, people are scared of change - the human condition doesn’t embrace change, but when it happens and you look back they say ‘it was painful, but it was worth it’.”

He also said he is ready to “go out and take the punches” needed to do well in the election.

Several polls predict Reform UK will come second on May 7, although the most recent Holyrood poll by Ipsos saw Reform dropping behind Scottish Labour and the Scottish Greens.

During his interview he also reflected on a recent appearance on BBC Question Time in Paisley where he said the other parties were “closing ranks” against him.

He said: “I am absolutely ready for ore, not because I am a natural pugilist but because I see a group of people closing ranks.

“I’m suspicious of the cosy consensus. I see that in mainstream media, there’s a Holyrood bubble with professional politicians and media operators who co-exist on their own level.

“There is no question that Reform is a disrupter. We are here to disrupt because we think things could be a lot better.

“To make an omelette you need to crack some eggs along the way.

“We’re not in for the cosy consensus - I’m ambitious for Scotland and to be ambitious you need to strive for something better.”

Mr Offord added: “You can settle for a quiet life but I’ve never been in that category, I’ve always wanted to get up and away.

“When I lived in Greenock everyone went to Glasgow University, but I went to Edinburgh.

“Then everyone became lawyers in Edinburgh or Glasgow but I went into banking in London.

“I didn’t want to do banking anymore so I took a pay cut for a different job.

“I took the road less travelled and I am comfortable with that. I have a strong sense of what I’m doing and the direction I’m going in.

“I’ve made a successful life and I want everyone to be successful, and you cannot raise the bar by sitting on the sofa at home.”