WHO might succeed Ruth Davidson as Scottish Tory leader? Davidson’s successor is likely to be a Boris Johnson and Brexit enthusiast.
But most Conservative MSPs backed his rival Jeremy Hunt in the Tory leadership race.
Indeed, in June some 18 Tory MSP signed a letter – circulated widely to the media – backing Hunt.
Those who put their name to the letter included: Jeremy Balfour, Miles Briggs, Alexander Burnett, Donald Cameron, Jackson Carlaw, Finlay Carson, Peter Chapman, Murdo Fraser and Maurice Golden.
The others were Jamie Greene, Rachael Hamilton, Alison Harris, Liam Kerr, Tom Mason, John Scott, Liz Smith, Annie Wells and Brian Whittle. Oliver Mundell, Michelle Ballantyne and Margaret Mitchell did not sign the letter. They are MSPs who support Brexit and who backed Johnson in the leadership contest.
Could any of them throw their hat into the ring to succeed Davidson?
READ MORE: Ruth Davidson quits: Scottish Tory leader in shock resignation
Adam Tomkins’s name was not among the signatories to the June letter backing Hunt, and it was noteworthy that it was he, the party’s constitutional spokesman, who responded positively yesterday to Johnson’s plan to suspend Parliament.
While Davidson seemed to have gone into hiding, Tomkins was giving his views on the day’s events. He berated First Minister Nicola Sturgeon for “agitating for independence” and Labour, the SNP and the LibDems for not voting for the withdrawal agreement – which, of course, the new PM voted down twice.
“Political opponents are being predictably hysterical about this move,” Tomkins said.
“And, of course, Nicola Sturgeon wasted no time in using this as another way of agitating for independence.
“MPs within Labour, the SNP and the LibDems need to remember they were presented with three opportunities to vote for a deal and they spurned that opportunity each time."
READ MORE: Brexit: 'Dictator' Boris Johnson shuts down Parliament
He added: “The aim is still to strike a deal with the EU and, if and when that happens, there will be plenty of time for MPs to either vote for that, or vote for a No-Deal Brexit.”
It is possible that Tomkins could go for the top job. It is also possible the Scottish Tories will opt to have a group leader at Holyrood who could quiz the First Minister in the Scottish Parliament on health, education and justice issues while avoiding awkward discussions on a No-Deal Brexit.
Jackson Carlaw, Murdo Fraser or Adam Tomkins are perhaps names in the frame for the Holyrood leader, though the overall Scottish Tory leader may be drawn from the party’s Westminster group.
Runners and riders could then include the passionate Brexiteers Alister Jack, the Scottish Secretary, and junior Scotland Office minister Colin Clark.
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