Latest news with #Lonchay
STV News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- STV News
Councillor switched to Reform Scotland after being rejected as Tory candidate
Dominic Lonchay, a councillor for the East Garioch ward in Aberdeenshire, announced on Thursday he would be joining Nigel Farage's party, saying there were 'many' reasons for the decision, including recently being 'unable to influence the running of the council for the benefit of my constituents'. But it is understood Lonchay applied to be a candidate in 2026 but was rejected by the party. 'After eight years as councillor for Aberdeenshire Council ward, 12 with the Conservative Party, I have decided that it is time for me to leave the Conservative Party and Aberdeenshire Council administration to join Reform Scotland. 'The reasons for this decision are many, and I have particularly recently been unable to influence the running of the council for the benefit of my constituents. 'I have therefore decided to join Reform Scotland, and I look forward to working with colleagues in the unaligned group of councillors for the benefit of my constituents.' Glasgow councillor Thomas Kerr, who himself defected from the Tories to Reform, said the party was 'delighted' to have Lonchay on board, as he pinpointed the north east of Scotland as a key area. 'Aberdeenshire and Scotland's north east have been totally abandoned by all mainstream legacy parties, Dominic, along with our current councillors in Aberdeenshire, will be crucial in this region's fight back,' he said. 'From Clydebank to Fraserburgh, Reform UK has shown we are the only party in Scottish politics with momentum. 'If voters want to rid Scotland of this rotten SNP Government, then only Reform UK offers that opportunity.' A spokesman for the Scottish Tories said: 'Under Russell Findlay we're reconnecting with common sense conservative values of enterprise, self-reliance, fiscal responsibility and the rule of law. 'Every poll shows that Reform will only help the SNP. As we saw in last year's general election, they handed several seats to the SNP which would have otherwise gone to a pro-UK party. 'Reform are likely to stand pro-independence candidates in the 2026 election and Nigel Farage has even said he's not worried about the SNP getting another five years in power. 'The Scottish Conservatives will continue to work hard to rebuild trust with disillusioned voters by holding the failing SNP Government to account and promoting common sense conservative values.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Press and Journal
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Press and Journal
Fourth Aberdeenshire Tory defects to Reform as mass exodus continues
An East Garioch councillor has become the fourth former Tory in Aberdeenshire to defect to the Reform Party, the Press and Journal can reveal. Dominic Lonchay is joining Nigel Farage's political party in what is becoming a crisis for the ruling Conservative group on the council. 'The reasons for this decision are many, and I have particularly recently been unable to influence the running of the Council for the benefit of my constituents', he said. 'I have therefore decided to join Reform, and I look forward to working with colleagues in the unaligned group of councillors.' It comes just two weeks after we revealed Ellon councillor John Crawley had switched allegiance to Reform. Former local authority chief Mark Findlater and Mearns councillor Laurie Carnie both jumped ship to Mr Farage's party last year. Earlier this month we revealed Huntly councillor Robbie Withey had left the Tory group in protest at nursery closures. He has not joined Reform but has vowed to back Mr Farage's party at the next Holyrood election in May 2026. Ex-SNP councillor John Cox has also joined the party but sits as an independent in Aberdeenshire. Meanwhile, council leader Gillian Owen was replaced as the Aberdeen Conservative leader after she branded her own colleagues 'f***ing b*****ds' in text messages. Mr Lonchay served as a Conservative in East Garioch for eight years after he was voted in at the 2017 council election. His defection will represent yet another headache for Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay who is struggling to stave off Reform's growing threat. One shock poll suggested Reform could be the second biggest party in the Scottish Parliament. And another this week suggested Reform could win Westminster seats at the next UK election – including Aberdeenshire North and Moray East. A Reform spokesperson said: 'There are now twelve Reform Councillors in Scotland, with more expected in the coming months. 'This reflects the growing feeling of anger with the legacy parties amongst Scottish people.' The Scottish Tories said Mr Lonchay left the party after he failed vetting to stand as a candidate at the next Holyrood election. A party spokesperson said: 'Every poll shows that Reform will only help the SNP. 'As we saw in last year's general election, they handed several seats to the SNP which would have otherwise gone to a pro-UK party.'
Spectator
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Spectator
Reform gains another Scottish Tory councillor
To Aberdeenshire in Scotland, where a fourth Scottish Tory councillor has defected to Reform UK. It transpires that Dominic Lonchay – represents the East Garioch ward on the council – has jumped ship to Nigel Farage's real army in another blow to the Scottish Tories. Lonchay's defection makes him the 13th councillor to join Reform UK in Scotland – and the fourth on Aberdeenshire Council. The tide is turning… Commenting on his decision, Lonchay remarked: The reasons for this decision are many, and I have particularly recently been unable to influence the running of the council for the benefit of my constituents. I have therefore decided to join Reform Scotland, and I look forward to working with colleagues in the unaligned group of councillors for the benefit of my constituents. It's the latest blow for Tory-run council, after its leader Gillian Owen quit following a row which saw her brand her own colleagues 'f***ing bastards'.
