TORIES in Scotland are always keen to talk up Ruth Davidson's supposed influence.
They try to create an illusion of the Scottish Tory MPs at Westminster being some kind of independent bloc that will stand up for Scotland.
Davidson herself has offered up quotes and pictures suggesting she's their boss, and issued warnings about her MPs being willing to vote against Theresa May.
Yesterday, Tory MP Andrew Bowie made clear just how laughable this suggestion really is.
Appearing on Good Morning Scotland, he was pressed on his decision to back the government on every Brexit vote this week – especially with Scotland having voted to remain.
Bowie was asked: "Does Ruth Davidson direct how you vote – is she involved in any discussions about how you vote as a bloc at Westminster?"
As he was questioned on whether Davidson really had any sway, he began to stumble.
Here's a transcript of the relevant parts of the interview, in what will make humiliating reading for the Scottish Tory leader:
Gary Robertson (presenter): When you and your colleagues were elected last year we were told by Ruth Davidson that you would be a powerful bloc standing up for Scotland. You can’t agree on the most important issue this country has faced in a generation. How much say does Ruth Davidson have in how you vote?
Andrew Bowie: Look, we are a powerful group down here. We are standing up for our constituents and standing up for Scotland.
GR: You can’t even agree with your colleagues…
AB: We have full and frank and open discussions. Yes of course we have disagreements, as people would expect elected members of parliament to do. But we are standing up for our constituents and standing up for Scotland within the governing party of the United Kingdom, ensuring we get changes that work for Scotland.
...
GR: Does Ruth Davidson direct how you vote – is she involved in any discussions about how you vote as a bloc at Westminster?
AB: We vote as part of the Conservative Party of the United Kingdom, the Conservative and Unionist Party.
GR: With no consultation to the Scottish leader?
AB: We… look… we vote, we are… we are proud and full members of the United Kingdom and Conservative Party. We happen to represent Scottish constituencies, we stand up and vote and work in the interests of our constituents and in the interests of Scotland.
GR: So the Scottish leader is out of the loop when it comes to how you vote?
AB: I never said that. I said that we work and vote in the national interests of the people of Scotland and our constituents, which is what our people elected us to do, and that is what we are getting on doing down in Westminster.
We'd love to see some more Scottish Tories asked about this (and perhaps about dark money, too).
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