Reform UK accused of ‘giving up’ in Scottish by-elections for Westminster

An email shows Reform prioritising Makerfield over the seats in the North East of Scotland.

Reform UK has been accused of “giving up” in two Scottish by elections after party members were ordered to campaign in Manchester.

Martyn Greene, Scotland Director of Nigel Farage’s right wing outfit, said a “small army” was required to stop Andy Burnham winning in Makerfield.

Polls show Burnham is the favourite to win on Thursday in a contest that could end up with him challenging Keir Starmer for the job of Prime Minister.

But two Westminster by-elections are also taking place on the same day in Scotland.

The election of SNP stalwarts Stephen Flynn and Stephen Gethins means there are vacancies to fill in Aberdeen South and Arbroath and Broughty Ferry.

The Aberdeen South constituency has seen visits by high profile Reform figures, but an email by Greene has urged members to prioritise Makerfield.

He wrote: “Please come and help in Makerfield by-election from Monday 15th onwards. We need as many boots on the ground as we can possibly get.

“Latest polling shows it’s absolutely neck and neck between ourselves and Labour. We know that if Burnham is elected, then he will immediately seek to replace Starmer as the Prime Minister. Having a PM which is even harder to the left than Starmer will be an absolute disaster for the country!”

Greene asked members to complete a form to show which days this week they could travel to Manchester.

He concluded: “We really do need a small army to help us campaign in these final days. Please help if you can.”

A Scottish Tory source said: “They are giving up.”

Sources say Aberdeen South is a two-way fight between the SNP and the Tories after the collapse of the Labour vote.

Insiders expect the SNP to hold the Arbroath and Broughty Ferry seat.