A SENIOR Scottish Conservative MSP has quit the party with immediate effect, saying it has "fallen into the trap of reactionary politics" under Russell Findlay's leadership.
Jeremy Balfour, who was the party's spokesperson on social justice, said the party's policies were being "dictated by what other parties are saying and chasing cheap headlines".
In his resignation letter to the Scottish Tory leader, Balfour said he felt he had "no choice" but to cut ties with the party and that he "no longer feel[s] the party has a positive platform to offer the people of Scotland".
— Jeremy Balfour MSP (@JeremyRBalfour) August 22, 2025
"I have found that there is little interest form the leadership in genuine policy innovation, particularly across the social justice and social security portfolio," Balfour wrote, adding that "increasingly, decisions seem to be made by advisors who lack experience, while senior MSP colleagues are ignored".
Balfour went on to say that he feared the Scottish Tories "have abandoned the effort" of helping the most vulnerable people in Scotland's communities.
"Social Security in Scotland is reaching a breaking point, and I have tried time and again to convince leadership that this is an issue that we need to deal with seriously. My efforts, however, have been unsuccessful," he continued.
He added: "More broadly, I fear that the Scottish Conservatives have fallen into the trap of reactionary politics, where a positive, proactive agenda for real change has been rejected in favour of allowing policies to by dictated by what other parties are saying and chasing cheap headlines.
"I take no pleasure in leaving my political home after over 3 decades. But as I have watched the party drift away from the principles that led me to join, I believe that I have no choice."
The Lothians MSP, first elected in 2016, said he would sit as an independent until the Holyrood election in May.
He has been the party's deputy spokesperson on issues such as equalities, housing and welfare, but has remained on the backbenches since Findlay became party leader in September last year.
Balfour backed former deputy leader Meghan Gallacher in the Scottish Tory leadership contest.
Born with no left arm and a right arm that ends at the elbow, he has been a prominent advocate for disability rights in Holyrood.
He opposed assisted dying legislation in May, citing concerns for disabled people as well as his Christian faith.
Balfour is the second Tory MSP to quit since Findlay became leader of the Scottish Tories, leaving the party with 29 MSPs.
In April, MSP Jamie Greene quit the Tories and joined the LibDems over its slide towards a "Reform-lite agenda".
“Whilst Jeremy and I disagreed on specific issues over the years, I respect people who hold views which are clearly borne from life experiences and beliefs, as mine are.
“His accurate description of a Tory party which mimics the voices of other parties, slashes and burns budgets at the expense of society’s most vulnerable and has completely abandoned urban and central belt voters is one which indeed I share."
He added: “One wonders how many more former colleagues will come to their senses and quit?”
SNP MSP George Adam said: “The Scottish Conservatives under Russell Findlay’s disastrous leadership have completely fallen apart.
“It is welcome to see Jeremy Balfour come to his senses on the reality of the Tories in Scotland, as they become increasingly extreme to pander to the politics of Nigel Farage.
“With yet another MSP ditching the party, it’s clear the Tories are in freefall in Scotland as we approach the 2026 election.
“The only question remaining is who’ll be next to desert the sinking ship?”
Meanwhile, the Scottish Greens said that Balfour's resignation is a "symptom of a broken Tory party whose toxic policies must change".
Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said: “To lose one MSP because of your narrow and toxic politics could be regarded as misfortune, to lose two looks like carelessness.
“When even a social conservative like Jeremy Balfour is saying you are too reactionary, it is time to reconsider your politics. This is someone who voted for every hard right Tory policy while opposing almost every progressive measure this Parliament has passed.
“While we as Greens rarely agree with the Conservatives views, there has been a notable shift in the party since Russell Findlay became leader. He has dropped any pretense of moderation and dragged the party even further to the hard right.
A Scottish Conservative spokesperson said: “We are disappointed to read these comments but grateful for Jeremy’s service and wish him well.
“The Scottish Conservatives, under Russell Findlay’s leadership, recognise that many people feel completely disconnected from politics.
“It is absolutely critical that our party continues to champion common-sense Conservative values and policies that focus on the issues of concern to hard-working Scots.
“All our members and supporters expect us to work hard to deliver the change that Scotland needs after 18 years of damaging and divisive SNP rule.”
