DOUGLAS Ross has complained about having to be in Nicola Sturgeon's company in a bizarre newspaper column aimed at winning votes.
In an article for the Mail on Sunday, the outgoing Scottish Tory leader begged voters for their support in the General Election even if they have issues with “me personally”.
Ross also claimed he had never “been able” to make friends with any politicians from other parties – and said he “didn't enjoy being in Nicola Sturgeon's company”.
He wrote: “I know politicians are supposed to pretend to like each other and it's the done thing for leaders of different parties to act like they're really good friends behind the scenes.
“I've always found that to be false. It's not something I've ever been able to do. It might not be to everyone's tastes, some will say it's to my detriment, but I wear my colours on my sleeve.
“I had no desire to be friends with nationalists trying to tear my country apart.
“I didn't enjoy being in Nicola Sturgeon's company. I couldn't simply overlook all her deceitful statements, the damage she did, and the division she created.”
The Scottish Tory leader also hit out at Humza Yousaf and John Swinney.
In a statement made apparently in complete ignorance of irony, Ross wrote: “I relished submitting the vote of no confidence in Humza Yousaf that brought him down after all the horrendous policies he brought in and the vicious way he attacked Unionists.
“John Swinney is more of the same. He's one of the most divisive and dishonest nationalists there is.”
Elsewhere in his article, Ross pleaded with people not to back Reform – with polling suggesting they could take voters from the Conservatives and hurt their chances against the SNP in battleground areas.
He wrote: “There is a real risk that just a few votes for Reform could help the SNP to win. Even if Reform get only five per cent of the vote, which polls indicate they could, that may be enough to let the nationalists slip in by the back door.
“I understand why people may be frustrated by my party – or even with me personally – but just ask yourself if you're comfortable with the election of a nationalist MP in your area?”
Ross is right to admit that people may be frustrated with him personally. He did, after all, resign as Scottish Tory leader in the middle of a General Election campaign.
He was forced out after David Duguid was ousted from standing in Aberdeenshire North and Moray East, with Ross saying he would stand instead.
Ditching a sick man did not go down well within his own party – and neither did U-turning on his pledge not to run for Westminster to focus on Holyrood.
Whether Ross’s pleas for help have fallen on deaf ears will be revealed in the vote on July 4.
