Reform UK Scotland leader Malcolm Offord today led his 17 MSPs out of the Holyrood chamber after calling a debate on Scottish independence a “vanity project”.
Mr Offord had moved that the debate was “ultra vires” – outwith the parliament’s powers. He quoted the Scotland Act (1998) which states the union is a reserved matter, and asks if the debate is “inappropriate” and if the meeting of parliament should be closed. He added that a Supreme Court had issued a ruling on a second referendum.
However, after being told by presiding officer Kenneth Gibson that the parliament was free to discuss what it chose, Mr Offord decided that his party would no longer take part.
MSPs heard an opening speech by First Minister John Swinney on Scotland’s right to choose its future and how the electorate had sent a majority of independence supporting candidates to Holyrood.
He was followed by Michael Marra following his election as Scottish Labour leader who had hinted at sharing the SNP’s position.
However, Mr Offord was clearly in no mood for compromise and declared: “This debate is a farce. It is an insult to the Scottish electorate who expect their politicians to deal with serious issues in their communities, like homelessness and the £5 billion black hole.
“This debate is ill-judged, self-serving and wholly inappropriate. No wonder two million Sots did not vote in the Scottish elections.
“I asked for this debate to be ruled ultra vires and as that did not happen Reform won’t engage further in these pointless proceedings.
“We did not come into this parliament to waste our time on vanity projects and there I withdraw my amendment and we will exit the chamber.”
As Reform MSPs left there were boos and laughter from other members.
Tory leader Russell Findlay accused Mr Swinney of being more concerned with grievance than government.
“Mr Swinney does not like anything British, apart from his British Airways business class flights,” he declared.
He said Mr Swinney was guilty of a “never-ending hissy-fit” over the result of the 2014 referendum. “Get over it, move on,” he said.
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