Scotland Politics live: Douglas Ross announces he's stepping down as leader of the Scottish Conservatives
Our daily live blog will keep you updates with news, politics, weather, travel - everything you need to get you through the day.
Make sure you don’t miss a moment.
Scotland live: Follow along for all news updates
Nicola Sturgeon to provide insight as election night pundit
Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon is set to appear on ITV's election night coverage.
The ex-SNP leader will discuss the results alongside former Tory Chancellor George Osborne and ex-Labour shadow chancellor Ed Balls on the election night show on July 4 hosted by Tom Bradby.
Ms Sturgeon announced her surprise resignation in February 2023, having taken over as first minister and party leader from Alex Salmond in 2014. The SNP is forecast to suffer heavy losses, losing many seats to Labour. Recent polling has projected the party will be left with as few as 16 seats, compared with the 43 it presently holds.
Election 2024 Live: The Results will air on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player.
Across the Channel...
...things are getting decidedly interesting in France, where president Emmanuel Macron has called a surprise snap election after a victory for right-wing parties in the European Union elections.
Here, Jane Bradley talks through the significance of the fallout for the UK - and also Scotland - of the ongoing political developments on the continent.
Scottish Greens take aim at the SNP over oil and gas
Elsewhere on Scottish politics, Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie has taken aim at the SNP’s position on oil and gas, accusing the ruling party in Scotland of pushing ‘scare stories’.
Our political editor Alistair Grant was at the launch of the Scottish Greens general election campaign in Stirling, where he wrote on the key messages here
Ross going raises the question - what about Sunak?
The decision by Douglas Ross standing down immediately after the election will only add to the questions surrounding Rishi Sunak and whether he will remain as Tory leader after July 4 - depending on whether he retains his seat, of course.
Rishi Sunak said he had “of course not” considered quitting ahead of the election amid the continued fallout over his early departure from D-Day commemorations.
The Prime Minister vowed to carry on “until the last day of this campaign”. Criticism of his early exit from the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings dogged Mr Sunak over the weekend, when he kept a low profile and avoided questions from reporters.
He was out campaigning in West Sussex on Monday, where he said that he would not stop “fighting for the future of our country”.
Asked whether resigning had crossed his mind, Mr Sunak told broadcasters during a visit to the Dog and Bacon pub in Horsham: “No, of course not.
“I’m energised about the vision that we’re putting forward for the country.
“This campaign is not even halfway through yet, and I’m finding enormous amount of support for the policies that we’re putting on the table.”
And the thoughts of Labour and the Lib Dems
In case you’re not tiring of reaction to Ross’s departure announcement, here’s some more.
Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie said she wished Mr Ross the “best of luck”, but added: “It’s clear that this divided and chaotic Tory party is out of time and out of ideas.
“Voters know that this rotten Tory Government has nothing to offer Scotland – it’s no wonder Douglas Ross has given up on trying to resuscitate the Scottish Tories’ flailing campaign.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton claimed Mr Ross’s decision was “yet more proof of a Conservative party in abject disarray”.
The Lib Dem said: “Just like the SNP, the Tories have been in power for too long, breaking rules and taking you for granted.
“They aren’t focused on what really matters like fast access to your GP, seeing an NHS dentist, tackling sewage dumping and lifting up Scottish education. People all across Scotland have had enough. The Conservatives have got to go.”
Rishi Sunak also offers his thoughts on Ross's departure
Rishi Sunak said he respected Douglas Ross’s decision to quit as Scottish Conservatives leader.
The Prime Minister told broadcasters: “You can read Douglas’s statement about his reasons and I respect his decision. It’s been a pleasure to work with him over the time that I’ve been Prime Minister. He has been a steadfast champion of the union.”
Rival SNP candidate says Ross should quit immediately
Seamus Logan, the SNP candidate for Aberdeenshire North and Moray East, challenged Mr Ross to immediately quit as an MSP.
Mr Logan said: “Douglas Ross must resign as an MSP today. It’s clear he’s been forced out as Scottish Tory leader after his shameful behaviour over David Duguid and his growing expenses scandal.
“Voters deserve a dedicated MSP – not one who is hedging his bets in case he loses the election.”
The Scottish Greens have their say on Ross departure
The political reaction is coming in thick and fast to the news that Ross will no longer lead the Scottish Conservatives after the general election.
Scottish Greens co-convener Patrick Harvie has called on voters to reject Mr Ross’s brand of politics, which he has labelled “divisive”.
Mr Harvie said: “At times like these it is customary to say something conciliatory about a departing MSP, but Douglas Ross has been perhaps the worst leader in the Scottish Tories’ history and the Scottish Parliament and indeed, Scottish politics, will be well rid of him.
“He embodies everything that is wrong with the Tory party in his anti-environment, anti-equality, anti-democratic pursuit of self interest, epitomised by his ill-judged swoop for David Duguid’s Westminster seat even while he recovers from serious illness.
“The fact he only now accepts that he must resign his seat as an MSP if he is returned to the House of Commons shows the utter contempt with which he holds his constituents and the Scottish Parliament.
"It’s not just Douglas Ross that we need to be rid of, it is the divisive, reactionary and prejudiced politics that he represents. It is clear that Douglas Ross has lost the dressing room, but it’s important that the voters take the chance to show the whole Tory Party the red card.”
So if Ross is standing down, what happens next?
Douglas Ross will stand down as Scottish Tories leader immediately after the general election - but it has left all sorts of questions moving forward.
Who will lead the party? Will Ross still run as a Holyrood candidate in 2026? Is he even still running at the Westminster election?
Our deputy political editor David Bol has attempted to address some of the likely fallout here
This decision comes after some controversy after candidate David Duguid was deselected by the Scottish Conservatives.
Read all about that decision here.
“Mr Ross came under fire after he announced his candidacy in Aberdeenshire North and Moray East constituency last week after Mr Duguid was blocked over his health. The move saw Mr Ross U-turning on his previous pledge to give up his Westminster seat.” This story was mere days ago. His decision to quit is quite the u turn.
In a statement sent out to the press, Mr Ross explained:
“I have served as MP, MSP and Leader for over three years now and believed I could continue to do so if re-elected to Westminster, but on reflection, that is not feasible. “I am committed to fighting and winning the Aberdeenshire North and Moray East constituency. Should I be given the honour to represent the people and communities of this new seat, they should know being their MP would receive my complete focus and attention. “I will therefore stand down as Leader following the election on July 4th, once a successor is elected. Should I win the seat, I will also stand down as an MSP to make way for another Scottish Conservative representative in Holyrood. “My party has a chance to beat the SNP in key seats up and down Scotland, including in Aberdeenshire North and Moray East. We must now come together and fully focus on doing exactly that.”
Douglas Ross has announced that he is stepping down as leader of the Scottish Conservatives.
He confirmed this morning that he would be stepping down after the General Election on July 4.
Stay with us as more comes in.
One from our Heritage Correspondent now:
“They were the best dressed in town – and only the best could capture their style and beauty.
“Hundreds of years later, these well-heeled figures of the Georgian New Town have emerged once again in a new National Trust for Scotland exhibition of works by Allan Ramsay at the Georgian House in Edinburgh.”
Here is our front page today for anyone who has the urge to run out and buy a newspaper. We support this.
A top exclusive from our West Minster Correspondent now.
“The ability to sack MSPs through a recall petition is “highly desirable” with Scottish Parliament governance in urgent need of reform, Ian Blackford has claimed.
The former SNP Westminster leader made the comments amid an ongoing row over the sanction faced by Michael Matheson over the iPad data scandal.”
Comments
Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.