IT seems every time Moray MP and Leader of the Scottish Conservatives Douglas Ross is challenged to defend his controversial views and voting record on issues such as same sex marriage and ethnic minorities, he defends himself by implying he’s simply reflecting the views of his constituents and he’s just being a good constituency MP.
As a result, many people in Moray are aghast at the suggestion that they are responsible for his views. Mr Ross is in the national spotlight just now due to the Scottish Parliament elections and his recent elevation to the leadership of his party. Many of his constituents feel Moray’s reputation is now being tarnished.
Mr Ross has only been an MP since 2017 and now due to his national profile as a party leader, many of his own constituents are becoming more familiar with his views and character.
On top of his decision a few months ago to miss a local VJ Day ceremony to work at a football match, this latest episode has again left many of his constituents upset and disappointed.
I’ve represented Moray in Holyrood since 2006 and I can assure the rest of Scotland that in my experience his intolerance is not shared by the majority of his constituents.
Moray is no less a tolerant community than anywhere else in Scotland. People I’ve spoken to are rightly appalled that Mr Ross can somehow suggest they he speaks for them on same sex marriage and the rights of ethnic minorities.
As Moray’s MSP, my own stance on equalities issues is determined by my conscience and principles.
Allowing the latest flurry of emails from constituents in your inbox to form your view on sensitive issues is not always wise especially in relation to equalities.
READ MORE: Douglas Ross told to stop blaming constituents for his 'repugnant views'
Elected representatives have to make judgements all the time. In doing so we have a duty to listen to the views of constituents but also to be guided by own conscience and moral compass.
There are many issues where constituents rarely have a uniform view, so forming and deciding how to express a view comes down to the integrity of elected representatives and their own values and beliefs. It’s then incumbent on them to justify to those they represent as to why they voted a certain way in Parliament.
As the country is now finding out, Mr Ross has some intolerant views that don’t sit well in modern Scotland. Given his current profile as a party leader, he is not doing Moray’s reputation any favours with his comments and defence.
Many of his constituents are not only angry about being associated with his views but also the fact that they can’t even stop him being elected to Holyrood.
This is because he decided to avoid standing for the Scottish Parliament constituency that he represents in Westminster and instead chose to stand on the Highlands and Islands List.
He is virtually guaranteed to be elected an MSP after Conservative Party members placed him at top of the party list. He also intends to stay on as Moray’s MP.
Out and about in the campaign, I’ve been astonished by the number of constituents who have raised both their MP’s views and aggressive approach in this campaign. He is costing his Party votes and he is certainly motivating SNP’s supporters.
My message to Mr Ross is don’t dare deploy the people of Moray as a shield for your outdated attitudes. Take ownership of your views and voting record and maybe find out what your constituents really think.
If the Tories have a bad election as many are predicting, Mr Ross will be just as responsible as his boss Boris Johnson and he’ll have to own up to that too.
Richard Lochhead is the SNP Candidate for Moray
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