Scots Tories to dodge English-only issues

Scottish Conser vative MPs will not take part in House of Commons votes that only apply to England after Douglas Ross came under fire for failing to support free school meals south of the border.

A Scottish Conservative spokesman outlined the party’s position after Mr Ross, MP for Moray, was accused by the SNP of “ducking the vote” when he and his colleagues declined to support the policy last week.

According to the spokesman, “in future” the six Scottish Tory MPs will no longer take part in votes if the policy “relates to England only”.

T he s tatement was issued following criticism of Mr Ross who abstained on a Labour motion last week which would have resulted in free school meals being given to poorer children south of the border during the school holidays.

The Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford has been campaigning for free school meals in England with his proposal exposing divisions in the Tory Party.

Mr Ross defended his decision to abstain on the vote, arguing that it only affected England and he had long-standing commitments in Scotland.

The Moray MP also said he did not take part in last Wednesday’s vote because he was in Scotland and could not get a proxy. None of the five other Scottish Tory MPs voted for the Labour motion.

Boris Jo h n s o n has refused to back free school meals outside term time, putting him at odds with Mr Ross who has supported the move in Scotland.

SNP MP Kirsteen Oswald challenged Mr Ross to commit to voting for free school meals in a second parliamentary vote and order his Scottish Tory MPs to do the same.

A Scottish Conservative s p o ke s m a n said: “In future, our MPs will not take part in votes that relate to England only. We urge the SNP to bring forward a vote in the Scottish Parliament to implement the policy of free breakfast and lunches for primary pupils, which was put f o r wa r d by S c o tt i s h Conservative leader Douglas Ross recently.”