An inspiring pledge to end ugly division

THE election next May is a critically important moment – not only for scotland, but for the Uk.

Dire polling sealed the fate of the scottish conservatives’ uninspiring leader Jackson carlaw, who quit on Thursday.

now Moray MP Douglas Ross is favourite to replace him and has won the support of former boss Ruth Davidson.

she is heading for the Lords, and will temporarily replace Mr carlaw at First Minister’s Questions while his successor is being decided.

among the most appealing aspects of Mr Ross’s pitch is his aim to ‘put the divisions of the past few years behind us’.

That’s a widely shared goal among voters sick of the ugly insularity of nationalism and the snP’s constitutional obsession.

on the Union, his words are inspiring: ‘I believe with all my head and heart that we can knock the snP off their perch.’

It’s a bold pledge given that polls predict an snP majority, and support for independence is rising. But Mr Ross’s ambition is laudable, and will inspire faith in Tory voters anxious that the party is on the verge of major losses.

The party shouldn’t be afraid of a leadership contest, which would help to clarify strategic direction. But there is no time for prevarication: tactics must be agreed without delay.

Much is riding on the result – an outright win would give the snP a boost in its fight for another referendum. Whoever takes charge must focus relentlessly on highlighting the myriad benefits of the Union. But they must also drive home the failures of the snP on its domestic policy agenda.

The coronavirus pandemic has drawn attention away from the Government’s deficiencies on education, health and in a range of other areas. Indeed, covid-19 has exacerbated many of the deep-rooted problems in our public services – and will wreak economic havoc.

nicola sturgeon has been allowed to perpetuate a wholly disingenuous narrative about her party’s successful record in office. In reality, it has been a series of disasters on every front as the drive for independence took priority over desperately needed reform.

conservatism has undergone a radical transformation in scotland in recent years.

But it’s crucial that the party recovers lost momentum to hold the snP to account – and to safeguard our precious Union.