Does Reform pose an existential threat to the Scottish Conservatives?

The article explores the potential impact of the Reform UK party on the Scottish Conservative party. It discusses the recent defection of a Tory MSP to Reform UK, suggesting that the new party may pose an existential threat to the Scottish Conservatives. The article notes that Reform UK, led by Richard Tice, has been making inroads in Scotland, and its anti-establishment message could appeal to some Conservative voters. It also highlights the challenges the Scottish Conservatives face, including their struggle to gain traction in recent elections and the perceived gap between the party's national and regional branches. The article suggests that the defection of the Tory MSP to Reform UK could be a sign of broader discontent within the Scottish Conservative party, and that the new party may be able to capitalize on this by attracting more support from disaffected Tory voters. However, the article also acknowledges the difficulty of predicting the long-term impact of Reform UK's entry into the Scottish political landscape, and the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the future of the Scottish Conservative party.