Carlaw gives up Davidson’s stand against no-deal and backs Johnson
The Scottish Tories have performed a 180-degree u-turn on a no-deal Brexit, with interim leader Jackson Carlaw abandoning Ruth Davidson’s opposition to crashing out of the EU in order to back Boris Johnson.
Mr Carlaw said it would be “far more damaging” to continue with the “endless drift”, and said he would back the Prime Minister in leaving the EU on 31 October, even if there was no deal agreed with Brussels.
It comes just two months after Ms Davidson, who resigned as Scottish Tory leader in August, said her party “won’t support” a no-deal Brexit.
In a speech to the Conservative conference in Manchester, Mr Carlaw said: “All power then to Boris Johnson, as he seeks to achieve a fresh arrangement with our European partners, and an orderly exit from the EU on 31 October. And if he does, it is duty surely on all those who say they will do everything they can to avoid a no-deal to vote for that fresh agreement.”
In an unscripted addition to his remarks, Mr Carlaw added: “But let me be in no doubt: if our European partners and the UK government cannot come to a fresh agreement, we will stard by Boris Johnson in leaving the European Union on 31 October.”
Asked about the change of policy in a Q&A afterwards, Mr Carlaw said: “Ruth has got very firm views. Everybody has views on Brexit. My preference is for a negotiated way out. It always has been.
“But I’m not someone who has argued that the roof will fall in on the world in an alternative scenario if we have properly prepared for it.
“I think the effort now to properly prepare for it is under way. There are a whole series of other agreements that will apply irrespective of whether we come out of the European Union with the broader comprehensive deal that we all want to see happen.
“Far more damaging is the endless drift, three years after we voted, three years of businesses not knowing whether they’re going to end up.
“Another six month extension does not guarantee that anything will be any different at the end of it. At some point you have to say, we have to move on, and I think we are at that point now.”
Party activists cheered Mr Carlaw’s new Brexit policy, and booed two journalists who asked questions about Mr Johnson’s private life and the break with Ms Davidson’s previous stance.
Writing in July, Ms Davidson said: “When I was debating against the pro-brexit side in 2016, I don’t remember anybody saying we should crash out of the EU with no arrangements in place to help maintain the vital trade that flows uninterrupted between Britain and the European Union.
“I don’t think the government should pursue a no-deal Brexit and, if it comes to it, I won’t support it.”
SNP MP Pete Wishart said the Scottish Tories were now “card-carrying do-or-die Brexiteers”.
“Having started out as a remain-supporting party – and having expressed serious concerns about the prospect of Boris Johnson becoming PM – the so-called leadership of the Scottish Tories have steadily abandoned all of their principles to fully sign up to Boris Johnson’s No Deal Brexit – with all the disastrous consequences that would have for Scotland’s jobs, our economy and our public services,” Mr Wishart said.
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said the Scottish Tories had “totally capitulated to Boris Johnson”.
“They are like the Republican party under Donald Trump, subservient and fawning no matter the economic harm or personal conduct of their master,” Mr Rennie claimed.
Mr Carlaw fuelled speculation that he could seek to replace Ms Davidson on a permanent basis after failing to rule out running for the Scottish Tory leadership.
In his speech, Mr Carlaw announced a Scotland-wide tour by the shadow cabinet, and looked ahead to the 2021 Scottish Parliament election campaign.
“I said when I began that I found myself in the wake of Ruth’s departure left holding the baby,” he said. “Believe me I ain’t going to drop it.”
Asked if he was seeking to become a full-time parent to the “baby”, Mr Carlaw referred to newly-elected councillors and parliamentarians, saying only: “I am the midwife of ‘Generation Ruth’.”