RUTH Davidson praised Douglas Ross’s performance after last night’s BBC Leaders’ Debate, but found other supporters of the Union weren’t so impressed.
Ross’s effort during the debate has been widely criticised, with Nicola Sturgeon, Anas Sarwar and Lorna Slater generally touted as the strongest performers.
The Moray MP focused heavily on independence, bringing it up in his answer to most topics including climate change and online abuse.
READ MORE: WATCH: Anas Sarwar tells Douglas Ross to 'grow up' at BBC leaders' debate
Ross indicated he was not willing to work with the SNP because of their support for independence, even on areas like the climate.
At one point Sarwar told Ross to “grow up” and stop bringing up his “petty politics” during a serious discussion on hate directed towards politicians.
After the programme Davidson, the former Scottish Tory leader, who is soon to join the House of Lords, tweeted: "Strong performance tonight by @Douglas4Moray. The only leader to really stand up to the SNP, call out Sturgeon's record, speak up for the UK & against another divisive referendum."
Strong performance tonight by @Douglas4Moray. The only leader to really stand up to the SNP, call out Sturgeon's record, speak up for the UK & against another divisive referendum. #BBCLeadersDebate
— Ruth Davidson (@RuthDavidsonMSP) March 30, 2021
READ MORE: Jackson Carlaw's glaring error caps farcical night for Scottish Tories
The replies were full of independence supporters mocking her - but also Unionist profiles disagreeing.
Unionist account @FacundoSavala told her: “You must have been watching a different programme.”
Another user, @nationalismfor1, responded: “Needs to focus less on referendum and much more on what he would deliver as FM.”
Pro-UK account @SBoycie replied: “Sorry Ruth, love you as I do. I cannot agree, he needs to do better.”
“He ended very poorly from a strong position,” added another pro-UK user.
“If only Ruth, if only!!” one user wrote.
Despite concern from the party’s supporters, Tory members tweeted a copy-and-paste message about how strong Ross was during the programme.
“That opening statement showed that only Douglas Ross and @ScotTories have the guts to stand up to the SNP. Pro-UK voters need to unite behind Scotland’s largest opposition party at this election,” was tweeted out by councillors, MSPs and MPs.
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