JACKSON Carlaw will tomorrow attempt to assert his authority on the Scottish Tories as he seeks to quell dissent among some in his party who want to break away from Boris Johnson’s UK Conservatives.
He has summoned parliamentarians for an away day in North Queensferry amid debates over the leadership and party’s future structure.
The gathering follows a difficult week for the interim Scottish Tory leader who is said to have faced “cold fury” from key shadow Cabinet members when he unveiled the party’s U turn to support a No-Deal Brexit on television last Sunday without having consulted them.
Days later it was reported some wanted to oust Carlaw and were pushing for a snap contest to replace Ruth Davidson, who stood down unexpectedly as leader at the end of August.
Regarded by many in the party as the politician responsible for the upturn in their electoral fortunes – which saw them usurp Labour as the second party at Holyrood and net 12 more MPs in 2017 – Davidson’s resignation threw the Scottish Tories into turmoil and left many in its ranks nervous.
However, as the shock of her departure subsides senior insiders and close observers say attempts to launch a speedy succession contest “come from a tiny minority” while the majority favour a “wait and see” approach on how the turmoil over Brexit is resolved.
They have given the idea of a breakaway short shrift.
“I think Jackson will remain until the dust has settled on things down south, until after a General Election, until even after Brexit,” one loyalist told the Sunday National.
“It’s a no-brainer. Once we know what’s happening, I guess things will start happening up here. If it turns out Jackson stays as leader I would be quite happy. I don’t see any need to be rushing into a leadership contest.”
The source dismissed suggestions about any appetite for the Scottish Tories becoming more autonomous.
“These ideas have been going around for some time, but there’s nothing new on that front at all,” the insider added.
READ MORE: Brexit lust behind Jackson Carlaw's conversion to No Deal
A second senior figure went further arguing it made no sense for the Scottish Conservatives to be launching a leadership contest weeks or months away from fighting a General Election.
“It’s nonsense to suggest Jackson is about to be ousted. It’s motivated by people with their own agenda,” said the insider who thought it highly likely an General Election was round the corner because of the difficulties Johnson faced in running a minority government.
“The time for a leadership contest would be early next year – certainly after an election. Most sensible people think the idea of having a leadership contest during an election campaign is a bad idea.”
As to the Scottish Tories splitting off, the insider was adamant that this would “never” get widespread backing.
“The view of party members is very firmly to keep the party together and I don’t think there is anything that would sway that. Any notion of a breakaway party is not shared by the membership or by voters.
“There are people in the party who will continue to raise this issue but I think in a future contest the members will rally round the candidate who doesn’t want to break up the party.”
The politician pointed to finance spokesman Murdo Fraser’s thwarted bid for the top job in 2011 when he argued the case for a more independent Scottish Tory party – and lost out to Davidson.
“There is a silent majority which wants to keep the party together. We saw that when Ruth stood for the leadership.”
Asked whether it could be an issue for the party to consider post the Holyrood elections in 2021, the source replied: “I think it’s an issue for never.”
The big issue is concern over the signal establishing a breakaway party would send out regarding its commitment to the Union.
It’s a political weakness the First Minister seized on in recent weeks asking if the Scottish Tories can’t stay with Johnson’s Tories, why should Scotland?
“The issue is exercising a lot of minds at the moment. But what I sense from most people is that this is an issue which does not need to be reopened, that it’s self-indulgent when there is so much else they should be concentrating on. Brexit, indyref2, who should be the next First Minister? We are just 18 months from a Holyrood election,” said the observer.
“And of course there is a big concern that if they are the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party is it the right signal to be breaking away? During the independence debate the argument [from the pro-Union side] is you shouldn’t vote for independence because you don’t like the current Prime Minister well those who are now proposing some kind of separation from the UK party are using the same argument because of the current incumbent of Number 10. It’s a strange position to adopt.”
Amid the turmoil of Johnson’s premiership and the vacuum left by Davidson’s exit there is much jockeying among potential leadership contenders.
Last week alone three new possible contenders emerged. Jamie Greene, 39, the transport spokesman, is understood to have used the UK party conference in Manchester to sound out members. Brian Whittle, 55, the South Scotland MSP and former European champion relay runner, was also said to be “on manoeuvres”.
Michelle Ballantyne, 56, Whittle’s fellow South Scotland MSP and a Johnson supporter, chaired a conference question and answer session on strengthening the Union. She denied canvassing colleagues but did not rule out running for the leadership.
Miles Briggs, the health spokesman, Liam Kerr, the justice spokesman, and Fraser are also considering running.
“There are said to be about 30 people interested in the job,” joked the observer.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel