Murdo Fraser’s Eightsome Reel

With one notable exception most of the Tory “establishment” appears to be backing Ruth Davidson in the Scottish Conservative leadership election. That exception is David McLetchie. The former leader has announced he is endorsing Murdo Fraser. But, as befits an Edinburgh lawyer, McLetchie’s support is not perhaps quite as forthright as Fraser would like. Although he praises Murdo’s “ability, experience and vision” he adds:

“So far this campaign has been dominated by discussion of Murdo’s proposal to realign the centre right in Scottish politics in a new party of which the present Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party would be an integral part. Indeed it would be an essential and necessary part because only with the approval of our members will this happen at all. That requires a 2/3rds majority at a special constitutional Conference and our members will want to be assured on many points before that consent is forthcoming. Crucial to this will be a clear commitment to continued support for the Conservative government of David Cameron and the preservation of rights which they currently enjoy as part of the UK Party such as attendance at conference and the right to vote in UK leadership elections – although I sincerely trust there will not be one of them for a long time to come.