TORIES SAY: INDEPENDENCE NOW THE “MAJORITY POSITION”

A senior Tory MSP has conceded that the country's desire to be independent looks like the “majority position” as his party searches for a new leader after Jackson Carlaw’s surprise resignation. The second Scottish Tory leader resignation in 6 months.

Adam Tomkins said for the “first time in Scottish history” independence might not be a “minority pursuit” and described the SNP as “formidable” opponents.

He also dismissed fellow Tory Michelle Ballantyne as “laughable” after she criticised Carlaw’s performance as leader.

Carlaw stunned his small band of right wing followers yesterday after he resigned as Tory leader after five months in the job.

It is understood he agreed to quit after dismal internal polling was presented to his bosses in London, England. He faced pressure from senior Scottish Tory figures who fancy replacing him with a part time linesman from Scottish football.

MP Douglas Ross, is the frontrunner to take over. Mr Ross had already quit the Scottish Parliament to pursue an MPs job in London. He was given a job as a junior Scotland Office minister but quit that aswell in protest at the Dominic Cummings row.

When asked by STV News about his habit of quitting jobs before they had expired, he denied this was a problem. 

He was also asked if he'd be quitting his job as an MP in order to concentrate on leading the Scottish Conservatives, but said that he wouldn't and cited one Alex Salmond as his inspiration for trying to hold two parliamentary posts simultaneously. Ross will also balance these two jobs with his third (or first) job, as a referee's assistant in Scottish football's top flight.