DOUGLAS Ross’s popularity has plummeted among Tory members since last year, falling by more than half in the wake of the partygate scandal.
The Scottish Tory leader’s approval rating has collapsed from previous highs in the mid-30s (35.4%) in November to just 14.8% this month, after he backed himself into a corner over his support for Boris Johnson.
In January, as public anger grew after the Prime Minister admitted to attending one gathering but claimed he believed it was a “work event”, Ross said the Conservative leader’s position was “no longer tenable”.
But in March as the war in Ukraine raged on and calls for Johnson’s resignation calmed, Ross U-turned days before the Scottish Tory conference – saying the situation in eastern Europe was more important.
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Now despite Johnson having been fined for breaking his own Covid laws, Ross is continuing to offer the Prime Minister his support with the justification of Russia’s invasion of its neighbour.
The Moray MP has faced criticism from members of the Scottish Tories over the decision to offer Johnson his backing, with former frontbencher Adam Tomkins warning if Ross doesn’t change course his party will continue in its “terminal decline”.
Now Ross faces a situation where he cannot say if he’ll back his leader into the next General Election just weeks before he asks voters to support the Tories at local level.
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The moves have had a major impact on views of Ross within the UK Tory membership. Prior to December, Ross’s approval rating on Conservative Home’s Cabinet rankings stood at the mid-30s, fairly mid-ranking and reasonable for a politician representing just one part of the UK.
In November last year, this was several points higher than Scottish Secretary Alister Jack (27.1) and his Tory leader counterpart in Wales Andrew RT Davies (26.7).
At the time Ross was considered more well-liked among Tory members than Priti Patel (0.2), Boris Johnson (-17.2) and Jacob Rees-Mogg (34.4).
But by February – after Ross called for Johnson to go – this had slumped to just 6 points, one of the worst scores on the board and only marginally more well liked than Patel.
Since Ross’s sudden change of heart over his support for Johnson he gradually climbed back up the leader board to 17.5 before dropping to 14.8 at the end of the month. This makes him the sixth worst rated of the dozens ranked by party members.
An SNP spokesperson said they were not surprised by the results.
"Douglas Ross’ failure to condemn Boris Johnson for wilfully breaking the law and misleading Parliament has devastated not only his own reputation, but his parties’ chances in the upcoming election,” they told The National.
"On May 5, voters have an opportunity to cast a vote for SNP councillors who will work tirelessly for communities, as well as sending a clear message to the UK government that their sleaze and corruption will not be tolerated.
“It is a choice between SNP action, compassion and leadership, or Tory inaction, self-interest, complacency and sleaze.”
Meanwhile, Scottish Greens MSP Gillian Mackay said it was “no wonder” that Ross’s support had plummeted.
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“Douglas Ross was hailed as a saviour delivered from upon high to sort out the Scottish Tories in the wake of Jackson Carlaw’s defenestration,” she told The National.
“Now, even his own members don’t rate him. Whether it’s his pathetic Brexit cheerleading or his flip flopping on Boris Johnson’s future it’s no wonder that Mr Ross’s popularity has sunk without trace.”
Elsewhere on the rankings, Rishi Sunak has found himself the lowest rated of everyone after once being touted as a future prime minister.
Sunak led the rankings for many months after becoming Chancellor in 2020 – now his approval rating among Tories is just -5.2.
Ben Wallace, Defence Secretary and former Tory MSP, continues to be ranked at the top with a massive score of 85.
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