‘Double standards’ accusation as UK party split considered

It would be a “gross hypocrisy” for the Scottish Tories to attempt to split from the UK Conservative Party while denying another independence referendum, SNP depute leader Keith Brown has said.

In an article published in the Times newspaper yesterday, it was suggested a commission will consider four options for the future of the party in Scotland in the wake of leader Ruth Davidson’s departure.

These include two separate parties with a coalition agreement at Westminster and an arrangement where one party stands for the Scottish Parliament and the other for the Commons, according to the paper.

The idea of establishing a separate party has been floated previously, with MSP Murdo Fraser, who first raised the suggestion during his Scottish Tory leadership bid in 2011, renewing calls for a split from the UK party in July.

Writing in the Scotsman newspaper at the time, Mr Fraser said a “Canadian model” could be used – comparing it to Quebec Conservatives voting for the Quebec Liberal Party.

SNP depute leader Keith Brown said the move would represent a “double standard” for the Scottish Tories.

“This is gross hypocrisy from the Tories, who are now demanding independence from their Westminster bosses at the same time as trying to block the people of Scotland being given a say on their future,” he said.

“Boris Johnson’s government is too toxic for Ruth Davidson – and now it seems it is too extreme for the Scottish Tories as a whole.

“But however they try to dress this up, the Scottish Tories cannot escape the enormous double standard in wanting independence from Westminster while simultaneously trying to deny Scotland that democratic choice.”

Ruth Davidson quit as Scottish Tory leader earlier this week.