SNP MP Lisa Cameron has defected to the Conservatives, citing a “toxic” culture in the SNP’s Westminster group. Cameron, who represents East Kilbride, Strathaven, and Lesmahagow, faced a selection contest to remain as the SNP’s candidate at the next general election. She claimed that she had been “ostracised” by the SNP after speaking out over the handling of allegations against former Westminster Chief Whip Patrick Grady. Cameron did not rule out standing down and triggering a by-election if she did not win the SNP nomination. The SNP has called for her to step down, allowing for a by-election.
Both Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross welcomed Cameron to the party. Rishi Sunak said he was “delighted” to welcome a “brave and committed” MP to his party. Douglas Ross said: “Like many ex-SNP supporters, she has realised that her former party is hopelessly divided under Humza Yousaf and incapable of focusing on the real priorities of the Scottish people.” Cameron rowed back on her support for Scottish independence, describing it as divisive and would instead focus on “constructive policies”.
Cameron claimed families, including her own, had “experienced significant division” over the issue of independence and wanted to focus her energies on “constructive policies”. Her announcement comes after the SNP was heavily defeated by Labour in the Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election last week. The defection means the Conservatives now have 353 MPs, including seven from the Scottish Tories, while the SNP has 43 MPs.
Cameron will sit as a Conservative MP until the general election, which is expected to be held next year. Due to Westminster boundary changes, her seat will change to East Kilbride and Strathaven at the next UK poll. Dr Cameron’s announcement follows concerns that she could be deselected after being one of only two SNP MPs who voted against lifting Northern Ireland’s abortion ban. There was also unhappiness within the local party with the number of taxpayer-funded overseas trips Dr Cameron has taken in her role as a parliamentarian as well as a view she is “not a team player
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More