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- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Defections to Reform smack of political opportunism
The party has also bled support in the Scottish Parliament when MSP Jamie Green joined the Liberal Democrats in April.
Of course, this phenomenon is not limited to the Tories. In March 2021, SNP MPs Kenny MacAskill and Neale Hanvey followed former FM Alex Salmond to the newly-formed Alba Party.
Ash Regan followed suit in 2023 after coming a distant third in the race to become Nicola Sturgeon's successor.
Ash Regan is a high-profile defectee. (Image: PA) In some cases, the mental gymnastics required to swap one party for another are quite impressive.
Former MP Lisa Cameron famously deserted the SNP for the Tories in October 2023, as the East Kilbride parliamentarian faced a staunch selection contest.
Reform councillor Jamie McGuire serves as a recent example of this drastic ideological seesaw.
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The former Labour apparatchik worked as a Parliamentary Researcher for Paisley & Renfrewshire North MP Alison Taylor and was a past chair of Glasgow University's Labour club.
He dramatically swapped sides in early June, announcing his defection as Nigel Farage visited Scotland ahead of the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election.
McGuire's former colleagues have shared their shock at the defection.
A fellow Glasgow University graduate who was on the committee of the Labour society alongside Jamie told The Herald that the defection came as a 'slap in the face'.
'I am quite shocked,' the source said. 'He was so deep within the Labour circles and organised some decent events too for the society.
'He got elected as a councillor and trained by the party to be a candidate so it does feel like a slap in the face. It is shocking.'
Jamie McGuire is a former Labour councillor. (Image: Newsquest) The decision came as a surprise to another Glasgow University politics alumnus, who took classes alongside McGuire.
The source said they thought the announcement was a joke at first.
They told The Herald: 'I was bored scrolling on Reddit, then saw his picture in a Glasgow-related page with Reform background logos. I assumed some SNP cybernat made it up as a joke but when I found out it was real I was beyond floored.
'The guy was the biggest Labour party advocate I knew at university, I even spoke to him last year and he was talking to me about his excitement about what the Labour party was going to do in government and his excitement for the Scottish elections. It feels like a fever dream.
'He's one of the most lovely guys I've met and I'm really curious to hear more about his decision and hopes for the party's future.'
Another person who knew McGuire at university said: 'I'll tell you this, it was coming. He was setting himself up to be a Labour MP.
'Clearly he sensed the way of the wind and jumped ship.'
In a tweet that now appears to be deleted, McGuire shared a photo of himself alongside Jeremy Corbyn at an event he organised during COP26.
The post reads: 'It was a surreal experience tonight to share a stage with Jeremy Corbyn for my GU Labour Club COP26 event. Thank you to the Corbyn Project for showing us that another future is possible.'
Jeremy Corbyn was hosted at an event set up by McGuire. (Image: Other) McGuire also served as Secretary of Scottish Young Labour and Scottish Labour Students in recent years.
The Renfrewshire councillor cancelled a scheduled interview with The Herald last week, and did not respond to subsequent requests for comment.
However, speaking to the Local Democracy Service last week, McGuire pushed back against claims made by his former group leader on the council.
Councillor Ian McMillian of Labour said: 'His politics have, shall we say, always been a bit fluid and, since being elected three years ago as a Labour councillor, he has at times struggled to be a team player.'
McGuire retorted: 'I've always been a team player, I've always been in politics to try and make a difference.
'I wish everyone well. I've always thought it was about the community, that was the reason I got involved in politics.
'I've always tried my best and I don't think anyone could disagree with the fact I put 100 per cent in all the time.'
He said he joined Reform because it was a 'genuine opportunity' to tackle 'deep structural issues' affecting the UK.
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McGuire's story is far from unique. Indeed, it feels as if defections are occurring with increasing regularity.
Some of that is to be expected as new political parties come to the forefront. Yet, far too often, ideological consistency is abandoned for political opportunity.
Where does the average voter stand amidst all of this?
Is it fair that the people of Renfrew North, who elected a Labour councillor four years ago, are now represented by a member of Reform UK? Or what about the constituents of West Scotland, who elected Jamie Greene as a Tory, and now have a Lib Dem MSP?
After each high-profile defection calls for by-elections abound; in our nation's newspapers, radio stations, and social media sites.
And while the noble thing would be to defend one's seat, or at least to stand down, politics is ultimately about power. Fairness is not top of mind for most politicians.
Yet, sooner or later; in 2026, 2027, or 2029, our happy band of defectors will face the voting public.
And like Julius Caesar, now they have crossed the Rubicon, there is no going back.
