Conservatives 'committed' to holding council to account as they nominate board members to replace Reform duo

Neill Graham vows group will continue opposition "uninterrupted" as it prepares for life without Alec Leishman and John Gray.

The Conservatives "remain committed" to holding Renfrewshire Council to account as they put forward nominations to replace two defectors on a number of boards.

Leader Neill Graham has vowed his group will continue its opposition in the chambers "uninterrupted" as it prepares for life at meetings without duo Alec Leishman and John Gray.

The pair switched to Nigel Farage's Reform UK earlier this year, reducing the Conservative numbers to three in Councillor Graham and his colleagues David McGonigle and James MacLaren.

But a defiant Councillor Graham, who represents Paisley Northeast and Ralston, said this week: "The Conservative and Unionist group remain committed to holding this failing SNP administration to account.

"We will continue our opposition on all boards we are currently on uninterrupted."

A paper on governance arrangements to this Thursday's full council meeting sets out the group's nominations to fill the vacancies created following the resignations of councillors Leishman and Gray from the party.

It has been recommended Councillor McGonigle is added to the leadership board; Councillor MacLaren to the finance, resources and customer services policy board and communities and housing policy board; and Councillor Graham to the education and children's services policy board, infrastructure, land and environment policy board and Fairer Renfrewshire sub-committee.

The report added: "The Conservative group has not proposed nominations for the single vacancy that has been created on the audit, risk and scrutiny board and the two vacancies on the licensing board.

"Council is asked to agree replacement members from outwith the Conservative group to fill these vacancies."

Last month, Reform insisted it set "a very high bar" for defectors after adding Councillor Leishman, who represents Erskine and Inchinnan, and Councillor Gray, who represents Renfrew North and Braehead, to its ranks.

A party spokesperson said at the time: "We've set a very high bar for defectors. We're only accepting those who are very capable, and they must genuinely believe in Reform – they've got to be people our members would be happy to see join us.

"We've never sought out defectors, they have to come to us. And they're doing that because they can see how badly the country needs change, and that only Reform can save Britain."

Their decision to change allegiance means the four independent councillors are now the third largest cohort at the council, behind the SNP administration (20) and the Labour group (13).

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