REFORM UK’S newest MSP has been left red-faced after past comments resurfaced which appeared to put him at odds with the party line.
Graham Simpson became the party’s second-ever MSP when he defected from the Scottish Conservatives earlier this week – but has previously made statements contrary to Reform’s stance on net zero.
In a Holyrood debate last February, the Central Scotland list MSP, said: “If we are to grow as a nation, we need to invest in transport, net zero and a just transition.”
This is despite Reform deputy leader Richard Tice’s anti-net zero crusade, which has included writing warnings to businesses that if his party came to power it would tear up clean power contracts.
In power in councils across England, Reform has begun trying to undo climate policies in local government, with Tice saying the party had “declared war” on green schemes.
At a press conference in June, top party figures such as Tice and Greater Lincolnshire mayor Andrea Jenkyns (above) said they were opposed to wind and solar farms and against new battery storage facilities, with the deputy leader adding: “It is an absolute outrage what the madness of net stupid zero is doing to our county, as well as to our country.”
Elsewhere, Simpson can be revealed to have made comments praising the effect of migration, despite Reform leader Nigel Farage saying earlier this year that the level of immigration in Britain was leading to the threat of “major civil disorder”.
But in February 2018, during a debate on the Scottish Government’s migration “discussion paper” Simpson said he found himself in agreement with much of the SNP’s stance on the issue.
Quoting approvingly from the foreword of the paper, Simpon said: “Migration strengthens our society and our nation benefits from the skills, the experience and the expertise of those individuals who have chosen to live, work and study in Scotland," adding: “Those are words that none of us would disagree with.”
He went on: “Scotland needs immigration, but so does the rest of the UK. The movement of people enriches both societies and those who move.”
Keith Brown (above), deputy leader of the SNP, said the revelations posed “serious questions for Nigel Farage and his new MSP”.
He added: “Farage’s populist agenda has wrecked the UK economy, stoked division and demonised immigrants, all for political gain.
“Either Graham Simpson is copying Farage in an embarrassing attempt to keep his seat, or Reform UK’s policy positions are as vacuous as Labour’s promises.
“More importantly, while Scots grapple with the rising cost of living, Farage and Simpson are joining forces to stoke division and keep Scotland trapped in the Westminster status quo.
“The SNP will always stand against the demonisation of minorities by the likes of Reform UK, focusing on delivery and giving people hope for a better future with independence.”
Reform and Simpson were approached for comment.
