DOUGLAS Ross has repeatedly refused to say Boris Johnson is an asset to the Scottish Tories.
The Moray MP was asked three times to state that the Prime Minister provided a boost for the Conservatives north of the Border.
He told ITV: “The Prime Minister is the Prime Minister of the whole of the United Kingdom and his positive vision to level up all parts, all nations, and the whole of the United Kingdom is a positive message I think we can take forward into the election next year.
“We see on the ground, day in day out, with the borderlands growth deal and city and region growth deals the length and breadth of the country, investment by the UK Government, working with the Scottish Government, and that's the message I think people want to hear.”
READ MORE: Boris Johnson pushes 83 per cent of Scots towards independence
The Scottish Tory leader was asked twice more to say explicitly that the Prime Minister was an asset to his party, but refused.
He added: “I'm the one on the ballot paper. I'm the leader of the Scottish Conservative Party. We have unique policies here in Scotland, compared to other parts of the United Kingdom, and it's our policies, our platform and our team we're taking to the electorate next May.”
Recent polling has shown Johnson is disliked in Scotland more than he is in any other part of the UK.
A Panelbase survey, carried out for Business for Scotland last month, revealed that 52% of Scottish voters said the Tory leader made it "more likely" that they would back Yes in indyref2.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel