MSP Jamie Greene quits Scottish Tories accusing party of ‘Reform-lite’ agenda

A Scottish Tory MSP has quit the party, claiming it is pursuing a “Reform-lite” agenda.

West Scotland MSP Jamie Greene announced the move on Thursday, hitting out at party leadership and their advisers over a shift further to the right to combat the threat of Nigel Farage’s party.

Seen as being on the left of the party, Mr Greene has been outspoken in his support for LGBT rights and defied the party’s opposition to the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill.

In a letter to leader Russell Findlay, Mr Greene said he joined the party as a One Nation Conservative, but declared that the Scottish Tories he knew “simply no longer exists”.

I do not believe that I have left the Conservative Party. I believe that the party has left me

“During the leadership election last year, I warned that we were giving up on the next generation of young Scots,” he wrote.

“I warned that we were deserting the middle ground. Instead, the party now rests its hopes on a Reform-lite agenda that appeals to the worst of our society, and not the best.

“Instead of proudly leading on equality, we now run the very serious and immediate risk of becoming once again the party of social division and morality wars.”

He added: “I do not believe that I have left the Conservative Party. I believe that the party has left me.”

I cannot be part of a narrative which has become Trump-esque in both style and substance

While he said he has “always enjoyed” working with Mr Findlay, it is his “strong belief” that his advisers “will lead the party to a collapse in support for decent centre-right politics in Scotland”.

“I cannot be part of a narrative which has become Trump-esque in both style and substance,” he said.

“Perhaps my split with the party is best seen in that light.

“I feel that I can best serve my West of Scotland constituents, the parliament, and my own conscience by stepping aside from the Scottish Conservatives.

“I will continue to work constructively with colleagues on issues of shared importance.

“I hope my departure may come as a source of regret to many in the party, if not now, perhaps one day in the future, when, as night follows day, the party comes to understand that Scottish elections are won in the centre ground, not on the right-wing fringes in a grotesque dance with Nigel Farage.”

Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay said Mr Greene’s loss was “disappointing”, adding that he wished him well.

“When I was elected, I promised to take the party in a new direction and said that we needed to be different,” he said.

“I promised change and I keep my promises, so I will keep standing up for the common-sense values of mainstream Scotland and opposing the damage caused by Holyrood’s left-wing consensus.

“I’ll continue taking a strong stance against the SNP on tax, gender self-identification, and the damage they’ve done to Scotland’s schools.

“Others may believe it’s best to let the SNP have their way. I will always oppose their dangerous agenda and put forward a proud conservative vision of a different Scotland.”