World · News Desk
Reform UK's leader in Scotland, Malcolm Offord, will promise to scrap the six-band income tax system, boost jobs, and address immigration in his speech to the party's conference later. Offord is set to address members on the final day of the gathering in Birmingham. Ahead of his speech, the West Scotland MSP said Reform UK shows that 'real world experience can top tired tropes from out-of-touch career politicians'.
He claimed the SNP has 'run Scotland aground' and urged voters to choose Reform's fresh and decisive thinking. 'Things are looking very bleak for Scotland: the economy is stagnating and we are staring at a massive £5bn blackhole with no solutions forthcoming from the tired SNP government,' he said. 'There are fewer jobs, the benefits bill is ballooning and households are struggling from higher taxes, leaving Scots with less money in their pockets.' Offord took aim at Scotland's six-band tax system, contrasting it with the three bands in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. 'The six-band tax system needs to go, we must start listening to our business leaders to boost jobs and growth across the country, and it's time to address the Scottish exceptionalism at the top of government that has allowed immigration to bankrupt Scottish councils.' Nigel Farage also addressed the conference, walking on stage with fireworks before his speech. His speech followed UK party leader Nigel Farage's address on Friday, in response to a Channel 4 News report about allegations of electoral law violations by two men seeking foreign donations for Reform UK. Farage's senior aide Dan Jukes and Reform's head of policy James Orr have both stepped down pending an internal probe.
In his speech, Farage defended his party, stating they 'have broken no law' and referred to the undercover filming as 'entrapment'. Verbatim Investigations reported their work was carried out to the highest journalistic standards. Farage described Britain as 'broken' and attacked Prime Minister Andy Burnham for lacking a mandate.
He proposed radical tax cuts and promised to stop small boat crossings within 100 days of a Reform government taking office. Farage also threatened to hold a referendum on abolishing the House of Lords if the upper chamber failed to pass Reform legislation, calling their approach 'can do, will do'.
Source: BBC
