In a statement Mr Buchan added: “I stood for election with the sole aim of working for my community and getting things done for local families.
“Having had the opportunity to see Reform from the inside I’ve concluded that the party doesn’t really have the experience or ambition to do that.”
He further accused Reform UK of “relying on rhetoric and slogans, which isn’t going to help real families in communities like Stone House”.
“The more I saw of Reform, the more uncomfortable I felt to be part of it,” he added.
In welcoming him to the party, Mr Kite said: “James wanted to be able to look his family and friends in the eye and tell them he has served them well, and he knows with Reform he couldn’t do that.”