Crisis talks for Scots Tories after Brexit U-turn

SCOTS Tories will attempt to unify the party tomorrow, as differences over Brexit and leadership threaten to tear it apart.

One source said the atmosphere was ‘poisonous’ and the ‘worst I’ve ever seen’.

MPs and MSPs will meet in North Queensferry, Fife, for a long-planned ‘away day’.

Those who have briefed against the leadership will be ‘put on the spot’.

Jackson Carlaw, who has led the party since Ruth Davidson’s resignation in August, is not expected to face a challenge tomorrow.

But ‘furious’ MSPs insist that any hopes he may have held for a long-term leadership have been fatally undermined.

The anger stems from Mr Carlaw reversing the Scottish party’s opposition to leaving the EU without a deal last week. He told the Tory conference he wanted Prime Minister Boris Johnson to secure a deal, but the UK must leave on October 31 regardless.

The mood of Scots Tories was not improved by Scottish Secretary Alister Jack saying that they had been ‘brought back into line’ by Mr Johnson.

There are deep divisions within the party over what its position should be on a possible No Deal Brexit.

One member admitted they fear ‘we’re f ***** ’ if the UK crashes out of the EU without a deal, with negative consequences for jobs, the economy and prices in the shops. But another insisted it was time to embrace the possibility of No Deal – adding that they must ‘get on board or walk away’.

Many are mindful that members in Scotland have hardened in their support for Brexit, backing Mr Johnson’s ‘do or die’ approach to leaving by Halloween.

Although 62 per cent of people in Scotland voted Remain in 2016, that still left more than a million who voted Leave. Then, in the European elections this year, 15 per cent backed the Brexit Party in Scotland, against less than 12 per cent who voted Tory.

Several Scots Tories, including those who campaigned for Remain, believe Mr Carlaw was therefore right to end opposition to No Deal. One said: ‘When you look at the polling, that’s what needed to be done.’

But another said: ‘The timing was inept. What made matters worse was the comment by Alister Jack about Scottish Tories being brought back into line. That undermined all the efforts Ruth [Davidson] had made to ensure we had a differentiated position.’

One MP said: ‘We do need a new leader. Jackson certainly has not pitched himself as someone saying, “I’m going to be leader”.’

Suggestions they wait until after the 2021 Scottish election before deciding a leader appear to have been ruled out. Most want to wait for Brexit to be agreed, and possibly a General Election, before a leadership contest. But if there is no election until spring, a leadership vote could take place first.

One MSP said: ‘Is it really best to have an interim leader for the next 18 months? Let’s lance this now.’