Scotland: Douglas Ross, facing mounting internal pressure for his various roles within the party and new charges of inappropriate expense claims, announced that he would step down as leader of the Scottish Conservatives on July 4.
Ross also said in the unexpected Monday morning declaration that, should he win the Aberdeenshire North and Moray East constituency in the Westminster election, he would resign from his position as an MSP at Holyrood.
His decision to serve as an MP at Westminster and an MSP at Holyrood in northeastern seats, while continuing to work as a part-time match official for the Scottish FA, has drawn criticism from political rivals who frequently make fun of him for having “three jobs.”
Growing dissatisfaction within his own party reached a boiling point last week when Ross declared he would run for Westminster again, this time in a crucial seat targeted by the Scottish National party. He had put himself up after the party had excluded the expected candidate, who is recuperating from a spine injury.
Following the development of “serious health issues” for former Scotland office minister David Duguid, who was supposed to take over that position, Ross said he had decided to “lead from the front.”
Duguid responded that he was “very saddened” by the party’s management board’s decision, claiming that they had made it without consulting him “or receiving any professional medical prognosis,” despite his insistence that he was healthy enough to run for office.
The board declared that it owed it to its candidates’ health to take reasonable precautions. This is not “an insurance option” for Ross’s future career, he denied.
Local party members were incensed at the choice and Ross’s decision to replace Duguid immediately, while the opposition in Holyrood referred to it as “tawdry” and “a betrayal.”
In his statement on Monday morning, Ross said that, “I have served as MP, MSP and leader for over three years now and believed I could continue to do so if re-elected to Westminster, but on reflection, that is not feasible.”
“My party has a chance to beat the SNP in key seats up and down Scotland, including in Aberdeenshire North and Moray East. We must now come together and fully focus on doing exactly that,” he added.
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