Play all audios:
NIGEL FARAGE’S TEAM CONFIRMED THE NEWS IN A SOCIAL MEDIA POST YESTERDAY AFTERNOON AS THE PARTY LEADER JOINED CAMPAIGNERS IN THE HAMILTON, LARKHALL AND STONEHOUSE BY-ELECTION. EDEL KENEALY
12:00, 03 Jun 2025Updated 12:00, 03 Jun 2025 Renfrew councillor Jamie McGuire has defected to Reform UK. Nigel Farage’s team confirmed the news in a social media post yesterday afternoon as
the party leader joined campaigners in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election. The representative for Renfrew North and Braehead is the first Labour councillor to defect to Reform
in Scotland. In a statement on social media, Reform UK said: “We are delighted to welcome former Scottish Labour councillor Jamie McGuire.” McGuire makes the move just one week after Reform
UK was accused of “blatant racism” towards his former party leader Anas Sarwar. The party released an edited video of Sarwar marking the 75th anniversary of Pakistan’s independence in which
they said he would “prioritise the Pakistani community on Scotland". That was untrue. McGuire was previously viewed as a rising star in the Labour party and worked in the constituency
office of Paisley MP Alison Taylor. Article continues below The 25-year-old was formerly the chair of the Glasgow University Labour Club – and even arranged for a visit from left-wing hero
Jeremy Corbyn in 2021. McGuire said in 2021: “I’ve been asked a lot recently if I’m a Corbynite or Starmerite, a Blairite or Brownite. My answer is none of the above. I’m a Labourite who
will campaign for every Labour leader because I know the difference Labour can make in power locally and nationally.” McGuire is the third Renfrewshire councillor to defect to Reform. Alec
Leishman and John Gray crossed the aisle from the Conservatives, stating Reform was the only party that could bring about real change. Article continues below Leishman, who represents
Erskine and Inchinnan, defected in February this year, with Gray, who also represents Renfrew North and Braehead, following suit in March. Both have since refused to stand down and spark a
by-election. DON'T MISS THE LATEST RENFREWSHIRE HEADLINES – you can sign up to our free daily newsletter here