Lib Dems challenge Offord on basic questions about NHS, independence and minorities

Jamie Greene MSP has today written to Reform’s Scottish leader Malcolm Offord, asking him to answer a series of basic questions: should the NHS be privatised, should Scotland be independent and whether he is prepared to call out racism and antisemitism for what they are.

It follows the news that Malcolm Offord will be Reform’s leader in Scotland.

Lord Offord's views on the NHS, Scottish independence and the treatment of minority groups, however, remain unclear.

In September 2025, Lord Offord edited a policy paper that asked for a “dialogue” on introducing charges into the NHS and rolling back on free prescriptions.

He has also said that “there might be” another referendum on independence in the next 10 to 15 years.

While discussing antisemitic comments allegedly made by Nigel Farage, Lord Offord said that his UK boss had used "intemperate language". In a recent interview with ITV, he avoided answering a question about whether he supported Reform’s previous campaign line that claimed Anas Sarwar would “prioritise the Pakistani community.”

Jamie Greene has now written to Lord Offord for clarification on each of these points.

Jamie Greene's letter is as follows:

Dear Lord Offord,

Firstly, as a fellow Greenockian, I must congratulate you on your swift elevation to the leadership of the Scotland branch of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK Party. Whilst we likely both agree that the Conservative Party has morphed into a Reform-lite irrelevance, I was surprised to see you join a party with a record of peddling division, stoking hatred and touting conspiracy theories.

I do hope this latest political elevation came much less pricey than your last.

Nonetheless, it is important that the Scottish electorate are abundantly clear about where you stand on some key issues.

On the NHS, Scotland’s constitutional future and the treatment of minority and marginalised communities, your views remain unclear and they deserve clarification. In particular, I would be grateful if you could address the following three questions:

1. You are credited with editing a Centre for Policy Studies paper, "Wealthy Nation, Healthy Nation", and as its editor, you have responsibility for its content. The paper claims that there needs to be a “dialogue with the public about the acceptability of user charges for some services.” Do you believe the NHS should continue to be free at the point of need or do you propose any form of fees or charging for access to it? If so, which services do you believe people ought pay for?
2. In January 2026, during an appearance on STV’s Scotland Tonight programme, you refused to rule out another referendum on Scottish independence, stating that “there might be” another one in the next 10 to 15 years. Do you still agree with yourself on this?
3. In an interview with the BBC in December 2025, you suggested that making hissing noises at Jewish people, to imitate the sound of escaping gas, and remarks such as “Hitler was right” could be interpreted as “intemperate language”. In another interview with ITV, you refused to give a straight answer about whether you supported Reform’s campaign line that Anas Sarwar would “prioritise the Pakistani community”. Can you please provide other examples of what you would classify as “intemperate language”, and can you state, without any room for doubt, whether you believe your party’s campaign line about Mr Sarwar was appropriate?

Given your position as the leader of a political party in Scotland, people deserve answers to these questions; indeed, these should not be difficult questions to answer.

Your recent on-camera interview with ITV’s Peter Smith, where the response to a reasonable line of questioning was involving your staffer, who interrupted the interview, manhandled Mr Smith and tried to physically remove him, will strike many as showing disdain for free press. It also sets a worrying precedent about how Reform in Scotland will deal with scrutiny. Perhaps in replying to the above, you might also welcome an opportunity to apologise to the journalist in question.

I trust your response to this letter will give you ample opportunity to be crystal clear about your policies and views, and about what the public can expect from you going forward.

Yours sincerely,

Jamie Greene MSP

Commenting on the letter, Jamie Greene said:

“People right up and down the country are turning their backs on the Conservatives, just like I did.

"But we cannot let Trump’s America become Farage’s Britain.

“Lord Offord and his right-wing branch office in Scotland have already shown themselves to be lacking in integrity from day one.

"I appeal to those sensible, moderate voters who took a chance on Ruth Davidson’s Conservatives: now is the time to jump ship and back the Scottish Liberal Democrats to deliver change for Scotland with fairness at its heart.

“In May, no matter where you are in Scotland, you can vote for that by backing us on your second, peach-coloured ballot paper."