Thursday, January 13, 2022

What Does Tory Rift Mean for Scotland and the Union?

Jacob Rees-Mogg called Douglas Ross, the Scottish Tory leader, a “lightweight”

ANALYSIS

THE TIMES: Tory prime ministers are used to friendly fire from Scottish Conservatives. Elected Tories north of the border tend to be more liberal and centrist certainly than the present cabinet but also many of their predecessors.

However, the past 24 hours have seen an unprecedented escalation of hostilities, and not only because Douglas Ross became the first leader of the Scottish party to call for a sitting Conservative to quit Downing Street.

It is the venom with which allies of Boris Johnson have pushed back that has shocked senior politicians and strategists in Edinburgh.

Jacob Rees-Mogg, the leader of the House of Commons, called Ross a “lightweight” and sent spasms of anger through the Scottish Tory hierarchy. References have been made to Rees-Mogg’s first … » | Kieran Andrews, Scottish Political Editor | Thursday, January 13, 2022 [£]