Crawley's departure highlights growing discontent within the Conservative ranks in Aberdeenshire.
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In a significant political shift, John Crawley, an Aberdeenshire councillor, has left the Conservative party to join Nigel Farage’s Reform party. This move marks the third defection of a Conservative member in the region, reflecting a growing trend of discontent among party members.
Crawley, who has been a long-time Tory, expressed his feelings of betrayal, stating that the party has “left him” and that he is disillusioned by numerous broken promises.
Internal turmoil within the Conservative party
Crawley’s resignation comes at a challenging time for the Scottish Conservative party, led by Russell Findlay.
The party has been facing internal strife, with recent incidents highlighting a lack of unity and respect among its members. Just last week, leaked WhatsApp messages revealed council chief Gillian Owen’s derogatory remarks about fellow Conservative councillors, which has left many party members feeling “disgusted”. This incident, coupled with other resignations, paints a picture of a party in disarray.
Growing influence of the Reform party
The Reform party, under Farage’s leadership, is gaining traction, particularly in Scotland’s north-east. A recent poll suggested that Reform could potentially become the second-largest party in the Scottish Parliament, surpassing both Labour and the Conservatives. This shift in political landscape is further evidenced by the party’s success in the recent English local elections, where they gained over 600 councillors. Crawley’s defection is seen as a strategic move for Reform, as they continue to target disillusioned Conservatives.
Voices of discontent among former Conservatives
John Crawley is not alone in his decision to leave the Conservative party. Former Aberdeenshire Tory leader Mark Findlater and ex-colleague Laurie Carnie were among the first to defect to Reform last year, citing similar frustrations with party infighting and a lack of integrity. Additionally, Huntly Tory councillor Robbie Withey recently left the party in protest against nursery closures, further illustrating the growing dissatisfaction within the ranks. With four Aberdeenshire councillors now members of Reform, the party’s influence is steadily increasing.
As Crawley transitions to his new role, he emphasizes the importance of integrity and accountability in public service. He stated, “These are core values I believe must guide anyone in public service and I can no longer remain aligned with a party that fails to uphold them.” The Reform party has welcomed Crawley, expressing their commitment to attracting individuals who share their vision for meaningful change.
