Reform UK's Scottish leader Lord Malcolm Offord has insisted there has been no backlash to his comments about owning six houses, five cars, and six boats, despite SNP leader John Swinney branding him 'out of touch'. The remarks were made during a TV election debate, drawing criticism amid the cost-of-living crisis.
Offord's Defense
Speaking on Thursday while campaigning in Castlemilk, Glasgow, Lord Offord told reporters: 'I haven't had any backlash, that's news to me.' He claimed that people he meets encourage him, saying: 'Good on you big man, because I want to be like you, I want to work hard.' He added that young people express concerns about educational opportunities, saying: 'We're not getting as well educated as you were, how come you got it better than we did?'
Swinney's Criticism
First Minister John Swinney had earlier described the comments as 'tone deaf', stating: 'I thought the setting of an individual's personal wealth, at a time when people are really facing acute hardship … was an example of how completely and utterly out of touch Reform are with the reality of people's lives.'
Reform's Vision for Scotland
Lord Offord argued that Scotland is 'underperforming' and that Reform UK offers a positive alternative. He warned that another power-sharing deal between the SNP and Scottish Greens could cause the country to 'go broke', asking voters: 'Do you want to be in a Scotland where people make money or not? Simple as that.'
Election Context
With a week to go until the Holyrood election, polls suggest Reform UK could come second behind the SNP. Lord Offord noted that many voters feel disengaged, saying: 'Nothing changes, it's the same old same old, whether it's Labour, SNP or Tories.' He positioned Reform as a 'new party' and 'challenger' offering change.
Reactions from Rivals
Scottish Green co-leader Gillian Mackay said: 'Lord Offord is wrong about many things, but he is right that Scotland faces a stark and simple choice between the Scottish Greens and Reform UK. It is a choice between hope and hate.' Scottish Liberal Democrat deputy leader Wendy Chamberlain added: 'Lord Offord is looking increasingly detached from ordinary Scots.'
