Malcolm Offord Pushes for Expanded Office Space at Holyrood

London, United Kingdom Aug 26, 2026 ALN: Malcolm Offord demanded Holyrood bosses knock down walls to give him a double sized office, The National understands.

Following the Holyrood election, the Reform Scotland leader pushed for a bigger office in the MSP block during negotiations over office space. The request for a larger office reflects not only Offord's personal preference but also the broader dynamics of party politics and the allocation of resources within the Scottish Parliament.

Office space allocation in the Scottish Parliament is a significant issue, especially as it can impact the ability of parties to function effectively. Each political party represented in the Parliament is allocated office space based on various factors, including the number of Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) they have. In this case, all six parties represented in Holyrood entered into negotiations regarding office space allocation, which is spread across several floors in the MSP block. The negotiations are often contentious, as each party seeks to secure the best possible arrangements for their members.

A source told The National that there is “always a bit of posturing” during these negotiations, indicating that the discussions can involve a degree of theatrics and strategic maneuvering. Max Bannerman, Reform's regional MSP for the Highlands and Islands and the party’s business manager, played a crucial role in these negotiations. However, he faced challenges in advocating for Offord's request as “Malcolm didn’t like it,” suggesting that there was a disconnect between Offord's expectations and the realities of the situation.

Emails released through a Freedom of Information request from the Scottish Parliament show Bannerman communicated with the Facilities Management team about the office allocation. In an email dated Thursday, May 28, he expressed dissatisfaction with the current proposals, stating: “After taking soundings from the leader and his office, I’m afraid the present proposals are not acceptable to our group.” This statement underscores the importance of leadership input in negotiations, as well as the potential for internal disagreements within the party regarding how to proceed.

Bannerman then put forward several alternative proposals to what had been agreed by the other parties, but these were redacted in the FOI release. The lack of transparency regarding these alternative proposals raises questions about the negotiation process and the extent to which Reform Scotland was willing to compromise to secure a more favorable office arrangement.

David McGill, the Scottish Parliament’s chief executive, responded to Bannerman’s concerns with an acknowledgment of the limitations of the current proposals. In an email dated June 2, McGill noted: “I have discussed your party’s concerns with [Redacted]. While we can see little in the way of manoeuvre from the proposal that other parties are content with, we have identified a couple of potential initiatives that could help sweeten the position for you.” This response indicates that the Parliament was aware of the tensions surrounding office space allocation and was willing to explore potential solutions, albeit without revealing the specifics of the initiatives offered.

Despite the ongoing discussions, Bannerman eventually accepted the office allocation with “all the caveats and guarantees which you have outlined to me just earlier.” This acceptance suggests that, after some negotiation, a compromise was reached, although it may not have fully met Offord's initial request for a double office space.

Multiple sources indicated that the primary issue holding up negotiations was Offord’s request for a double office space. It’s understood that some of the walls within the MSP block can be moved to create larger office spaces, but this does not apply to MSPs' individual offices. A source commented on the challenges of redesigning the building, noting, "You can move some walls, but because it's a bespoke building, to change it like that would have cost hundreds of thousands of pounds. The office walls are almost impossible to move." This statement highlights the complexities involved in office space allocation, particularly in a building designed with specific parameters and limitations.

Furthermore, the source added, "It's the business thing, basically he [Offord] lives in a world where he is that important, so to him this is alien. He thinks ‘I'm leading a party, therefore I'm important’.” This remark reflects a broader sentiment that may exist within political circles, where leaders often have inflated perceptions of their importance and influence, which can lead to unrealistic expectations during negotiations.

In addition to the challenges posed by Offord's request, it’s understood that negotiations were also held up because MSPs from other parties were reluctant to share office space with Reform politicians. This reluctance suggests underlying tensions between Reform and other parties, particularly the Scottish Conservatives, over the allocation of office space. A source noted, “Everybody else was in agreement, but Reform kept pushing back,” indicating that the other parties may have been more amenable to the initial proposals than Reform was willing to accept.

The tensions between Reform and the Tories over office space allocation are particularly noteworthy given the political landscape following the Holyrood election. Reform returned 17 MSPs to the Scottish Parliament – tied with Scottish Labour in opposition – while the Scottish Tories returned 12. This shift in the balance of power among the parties has likely contributed to heightened competition for office space and resources, as parties vie for the best possible arrangements to support their operations.

A Scottish Parliament spokesperson addressed the situation, stating: “We treat all parties equally and fairly. Reform was given assurances that all of their staff would be accommodated within the space offered, along with appropriate furniture and equipment.” This statement reinforces the Parliament's commitment to equitable treatment in office space allocation, despite the apparent tensions and disagreements among the parties.

Interestingly, Reform Scotland did not respond to requests for comment regarding the negotiations and their outcomes. This lack of engagement may reflect a strategic decision by the party to avoid further public scrutiny or to focus on internal matters as they settle into their roles in the Parliament.

Additionally, it was reported that Offord did not attend any first-time MSP induction sessions in May but took advantage of the free lunches provided during these events. This behavior may further illustrate Offord's approach to his new role and the perception of his commitment to engaging with the parliamentary process. As the leader of Reform Scotland, Offord's actions and decisions will likely be scrutinized as the party navigates its position in the Scottish Parliament and seeks to establish its identity among the other political parties.