Reform UK has fallen to third place in the Scottish Parliament after MSP Amanda Bland resigned from the party and confirmed she would sit as an independent.
The change, confirmed on Monday 19 October 2026, leaves Reform UK with 16 MSPs, compared with Scottish Labour's 17. The two parties had each held 17 seats following May's Holyrood election.
Scottish Parliament confirms change
The Scottish Parliament's official profile for Bland now lists her as an independent MSP from 19 October, with her Reform UK affiliation ending on the same date. A parliamentary spokesperson said she had notified Presiding Officer Kenneth Gibson that she would serve as an independent with immediate effect.
Bland represents the Central Scotland and Lothians West region. She has not resigned her parliamentary seat.
Reform calls for MSP to give up seat
Reform UK Scotland confirmed Bland's departure and called on her to resign from Parliament so the next eligible Reform candidate on the regional list could take her place.
That is the party's demand, not an announcement that a vacancy or replacement has occurred.
Bland says she will continue as independent
In a statement reported by the Press Association, Bland said her decision had been made after careful deliberation. She said her priorities remained focused on public services, protecting women and children, supporting businesses and criminal justice reform.
She said she intended to continue representing her region and holding the Scottish Government to account as an independent MSP. She did not provide a detailed explanation for leaving Reform UK and said she would not make further statements or give interviews about the party.
Implications for Holyrood
With 17 MSPs, Scottish Labour is now the second-largest party at Holyrood, ahead of Reform UK's 16. The change could affect the order in which party leaders question First Minister John Swinney, although the precise implications for parliamentary business have not yet been formally settled.
The Scottish Parliament said the Presiding Officer would notify the Parliamentary Bureau of the associated changes before Parliament resumed.