BBC Scotland political editor
PA MediaScottish Conservative MSP Jeremy Balfour has give up the social gathering saying it has “fallen into the entice of reactionary politics” beneath Russell Findlay’s management.
Balfour, who was the Tory spokesperson on social justice, stated he would sit as an unbiased till the Holyrood election in Could.
In his resignation letter, the Lothians MSP stated: “More and more, selections appear to be made by advisers who lack expertise, whereas senior MSP colleagues are ignored.”
He’s the second MSP to depart the social gathering for the reason that Tories misplaced energy at Westminster and Findlay turned Scottish chief.
Findlay has promised to supply tax and spending cuts on the 2026 Holyrood election, saying he would “wield a claymore” on wasteful spending if elected.
Balfour stated he didn’t imagine the social gathering was considering tackling welfare reform “past blind slashing of budgets” which he stated “will put these in most want at highest threat”.
‘Chasing low cost headlines’
In his resignation letter, seen by BBC Scotland Information, the MSP additionally accused the social gathering of specializing in rural areas “on the expense of our cities”.
He stated: “I concern that the Scottish Conservatives have fallen into the entice of reactionary politics, the place a optimistic, proactive agenda for actual change has been rejected in favour of permitting insurance policies to be dictated by what different events are saying and chasing low cost headlines.”
Balfour stated he felt he had “no alternative” however to chop ties with the social gathering he had “as soon as proudly represented”, including: “However sadly it would take some harsh electoral outcomes to pressure the problem.”
He added: “I now not really feel that the social gathering has a optimistic platform to supply the folks of Scotland.”
PA MediaThe MSP was first elected on the Lothian regional listing in 2016.
He has had a number of stints as a Conservative deputy spokesperson, together with on equalities, housing and welfare.
Nevertheless, Balfour has remained on the backbenches since Findlay turned social gathering chief in September final yr.
He backed former deputy chief Meghan Gallacher within the management contest.
Earlier than being elected to Holyrood, Balfour labored as a solicitor and Baptist minister.
Born with no left arm and a proper arm that ends on the elbow, he has been vocal proponent for disabled rights.
Earlier this yr he opposed assisted dying legislation, citing considerations for disabled folks in addition to his Christian religion.
Balfour’s resignation leaves the Scottish Conservatives with 29 MSPs.
It comes after West of Scotland MSP Jamie Greene defected from the Tories to the Liberal Democrats.
He accused his former social gathering of changing into “Trump-esque in each type and substance”.
The Conservatives have additionally seen a number of councillors defect to Reform, with polls suggesting Nigel Farage’s social gathering might make an electoral breakthrough at subsequent yr’s Holyrood election.
The Scottish Conservatives have been contacted for remark.
Underneath large stress
Russell Findlay took over as Scottish Conservative chief after a fractious inner contest that left some lasting divisions.
Having misplaced energy at Westminster, opinion polls recommend the Tories are beneath large stress forward of subsequent yr’s Holyrood election.
That was clearly illustrated within the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election the place they slipped into fourth place behind Reform UK.
That problem from the political proper appears to have impacted how Findlay is positioning his social gathering.
He has prioritised plans to chop what he considers wasteful public spending and to ease the transition to web zero carbon emissions.
What he has not completed is take all of his Holyrood colleagues with him and in dropping MSPs he dangers dropping some authority too.
