Douglas Ross dismissed as "supine" after backing Internal Market Bill
The Scots Tory leader will vote for the plans at this stage even though other Conservative MPs are rebelling
by Paul Hutcheon, https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/authors/paul-hutcheon/Scots Tory leader Douglas Ross has been branded “supine” after confirming he will vote for the UK Government’s controversial Internal Market Bill.
Ross claimed the legislation is required to secure 545,000 jobs and ensure the free movement of goods.
Boris Johnson is facing a major rebellion tonight over a Bill that has triggered resignations from his Government.
The Bill could override the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement and a Government minister admitted its provisions will break international law.
Four former Prime Ministers - David Cameron, Theresa May, Gordon Brown and Tony Blair - all spoken out against it.
The Bill also has implications for devolution as it determines where powers once held by the EU lie.
Some powers will be devolved to Holyrood, but others will become a matter for Westminster, which the Scottish Government has described as a "power grab".
Ross recently succeed Jackson Carlaw as leader and is still the MP for Moray.
He has confirmed his support for the Bill: “The UK Internal Market Bill is essential to protect the 545,000 jobs in Scotland that rely on UK trade, and ensure the unrestricted movement of goods across this country.
“That’s why I will vote in favour of it on Monday evening, allowing the bill to progress to committee stage where over the next two weeks, MPs will be able to debate and vote on a range of amendments.
Scottish politics
“Putting half a million jobs at risk in the middle of a pandemic is not an option, so I am voting for the bill at this stage to make sure that safety net for Scottish jobs is there.”
In a one word tweet, SNP MP Stewart McDonald responded to Ross’ decision: “Supine.”
In a sign of the growing rebellion facing Johnson, former Tory Chancellor Sajid Javid tweeted: “It is not clear to me why it is necessary for the UK to break international law. I am regretfully unable to support the UK Internal Market Bill unamended.”
SNP MP Kirsten Oswald MP said: "By voting for Boris Johnson's naked power grab on the Scottish Parliament, Douglas Ross is demonstrating yet again that the Scottish Tories are utterly spineless and incapable of acting in Scotland's interests.
"The Tories have completely isolated themselves at Holyrood as the only party unwilling to stand up against this dangerous and undemocratic attack on devolution - proving they will rubber-stamp any decision from Westminster no matter how damaging."