Scottish labour councillor defects to reform in by-election blow for anas sarwar

JAMIE MCGUIRE IS THE LATEST RECRUIT TO NIGEL FARAGE'S POPULIST RIGHT-WING PARTY. 14:39, 02 Jun 2025Updated 17:04, 02 Jun 2025 A Scottish Labour councillor has defected to Reform UK in a

blow to Anas Sarwar ahead of this week's crunch Hamilton by-election. Jamie McGuire, who represents Renfrew North and Braehead, will join Nigel Farage as he campaigns in South

Lanarkshire today. The Renfrewshire councillor was previously viewed as a rising star in the party and worked in the constituency office of Labour MP Alison Taylor. McGuire, 25, was formerly

the chair of the Glasgow University Labour Club - and even arranged for a visit from left-wing hero Jeremy Corbyn in 2021. He was criticised by Nationalists two years later when he appeared

in a BBC documentary explaining how the four home nations of the UK came to be joined in political union. McGuire claimed the infamous Darien scheme in the late 17th century proved Scotland

couldn’t go it alone before adding: “This was a partnership of equals from the start.” Article continues belowREAD MORE: Anas Sarwar says racist attacks against his family 'makes me

work even harder'READ MORE: Nigel Farage met by protesters on visit to Scotland as he criticises Holyrood funding McGuire said in 2021: "I've been asked a lot recently if

I'm a Corbynite or Starmerite, a Blairite or Brownite. "My answer is none of the above. I'm a Labourite who will campaign for every Labour leader because I know the difference

Labour can make in power locally and nationally. "Let's end factionalism". Farage today claimed it was "improbable" his party would win this week's

by-election. Katy Loudon, the SNP candidate in Hamilton, said: "This is beyond embarrassing for the Labour Party. "Their candidate in this by-election is invisible - running scared

of tonight's debate - and now one of their own councillors is jumping ship. "They know they've lost and they're panicking. "The contest in Hamilton, Larkhall and

Stonehouse is now a two horse race between the SNP and Reform UK. This Thursday, only a vote for the SNP will stop Farage." Article continues below TO SIGN UP TO THE DAILY RECORD

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