Reshuffle Scottish Tories: Douglas Ross reshuffles his way into problems, but is safe, for now

The Scottish Tory leader announced his new frontbench on Wednesday.

Douglas Ross has spent much of the past few years looking over his shoulder at potential challengers to his position as Scottish Conservative leader.

And while there has been a simmering level of discontent about his leadership for many months, there has not been any concerted effort to top the Moray MP.

It is therefore slightly confusing as to why, just as the Scottish Parliament limps its way to recess and a much-needed break for many MSPs, Mr Ross chose to stir the pot among his own group.

Scottish Conservative party leader Douglas Ross has reshuffled his top team.

Stephen Kerr, the former MP and now jobless education spokesperson, has been allowed to focus on winning a target seat at the next general election.

It is only a coincidence, so they say, that Mr Kerr is also considered as one with eyes on the top job.

Whether he was sacked or merely stepping away from the frontline, it doesn’t hurt Mr Ross’ position to have the MSP out of the public eye.

Another major demotion was for Jamie Greene, the now also jobless justice spokesperson. Much of the briefing around his departure from the front bench centred around his support for the Scottish Government’s gender recognition reform Bill, but he too was considered as someone with leadership ambitions.

Tory MSPs were also told the gender reform Bill was a free vote, so it is curious for Mr Greene to be penalised for voting in the same way as the health spokesperson for the party, Dr Sandesh Gulhane, who retains his role.

Maurice Golden, who led the party’s response to the deposit return scheme, was also left without a role and attacked Mr Ross for the party’s “slump” in the polls.

Rather than a reshuffle that simply looked to elevate some of the 2021 intake, this looks to be about settling scores and has stirred up latent anger with the party leader.

While there is no suggestion Mr Ross’s position is actively under threat, the questions about his ability as leader remain, particular when it comes to managing the Tory MSP group.

The promotion to justice spokesperson of Russell Findlay, who many are tipping to succeed Mr Ross following good performances as community safety spokesperson, could see those questions grow louder still.

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