US EditionMSP Jeremy Balfour resigns from Conservatives
Jeremy Balfour cited dissatisfaction with party leadership and lack of policy innovation, becoming the second MSP to leave the Scottish Conservatives under current leader Russell Findlay.
- MSP Jeremy Balfour left the Scottish Conservatives on August 22, 2025, and plans to serve as an independent member for the remainder of the current parliamentary term leading up to the 2026 election.
- Balfour cited his belief that the party had fallen into reactionary politics and lacked genuine policy innovation, especially on social justice and social security.
- He criticized leadership decisions being made by inexperienced advisers, senior MSPs being ignored, and policies chasing cheap headlines rather than helping vulnerable communities.
- Balfour expressed concern that the Scottish Conservatives have become trapped in a reactionary approach, prioritizing responses to other parties and headline-grabbing tactics over a forward-looking agenda, and suggested that significant electoral setbacks may be necessary to prompt change.
- His resignation leaves the party with 29 MSPs amid internal challenges under Russell Findlay's leadership and signals ongoing instability ahead of the 2026 Scottish Parliament election.
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15 Articles
Coverage Details
Total News Sources15
Leaning Left5Leaning Right3Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution45% Left
Bias Distribution
- 45% of the sources lean Left
45% Left
L 45%
C 27%
R 27%
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