Senior tories don't think David Mundell, MP for Dumfriesshire since 2005, is enough of a heavy weight to warrant the job as Scottish Secretary should the tories win the next general election.
Their main fear is that Mr Mundell would be no match for Alex Salmond. After seeing his performance on the BBC1 programme The Big Debate last week, I don't think he's even a match for Jim Murphy so I completely understand the tories' concerns.
One tory source said, "Mundell is not Cabinet-level material, but getting rid of him presents the problem of a viable alternative." David Mundell has been the only tory MP in Scotland since 2005 and therefore will naturally expect the promotion and he must be choking on his cornflakes to read today's Sunday Herald.
Who would replace him as Scottish Secretary? It's thought the tories may gain around 6 Scottish seats at the next election but no tory heavyweights are candidates so it seems there is little choice from that group.
Another idea being discussed internally is to give a senior MSP a peerage and then the keys of the Scotland Office. David McLetchie? I think he enjoys his legal job too much to leave it for any length of time.
It must be embarrassing for Annabel Goldie and David Mundell to discover they had been left off the guest list of a private dinner, which took place at the Milngavie home of Sir Jack Harvie, the tories' key Scottish fundraiser. David Cameron attended alongside Lord Strathclyde, the tory leader in the Lords and around a dozen tory sympathisers in the business world.
Not really the way to cultivate relations with your Scottish colleagues Sir Jack, is it? Could it be that Scotland has already been written off David Cameron's list of 'things to do' and thus the current Scottish tory leadership don't matter?
Source: Sunday Herald
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20 comments:
Subrosa
This has got to be a gift to the SNP when campaigning in his area at the general election.
"there is no point in voting for Mundell as even his own party do not think he is good enough"
Wonder why Goldie was not invited though, not right wing enough maybe?
Add in the Orange Order "campaigning" for Labour, and you have to wonder if we could have had a better conference weekend.
Still cannot see Yousuf in a bowler hat somehow.
Aye Dubbie, I thought it was a nice wee present on the last day of conference.
Superb campaign tool right enough. If I was campaigning down that way I'd ensure I had a copy of the article in my pocket - just to remind people, gently of course.
Naw, I can't see Yousuf in one either. Tops and tails yes but banging a drum in a bowler hat - a definite no no.
SR, Never mind about Scotland, what about the (Dis)United Kingdom? Does no-one realise that, come next year, all we will be doing is replacing one load of EU loving incompetents, dressed in red, with another load, dressed in blue?
For some reason, Mundell always struck me as the sort of person who was probably bullied in school for being a noxious little squit - and has now, through politic self-importance, clawing his way to dismal and unnoticed triumph over past transgressors. The squit is now, in the squit's self conscious, a great man, an important creature. The patron saints of this psychological type are typically jobsworthy, cramped of spirit and lumpen of mind, taking out vengeance for past ignominies upon all and sundry. They remain, despite all of this, small men.
Then again, maybe I'm reading too much into his dearth of charisma...
But there is a slight difference WfW, the tories will have very little representation here in Scotland and that will fire more emotion from the electorate. At least that's what the SNP hope.
Charisma Lallands? I very much doubt if Mr Mundell understands the meaning of the word.
I watched him on the Big Debate programme broadcast last week. He has as much charisma as Jim Murphy has political skill. It was embarrassing at times knowing the two of them held positions which affected Scotland.
Rather significant to note the guest list for Sir Jack Harvie’s dinner party which David Cameron and Lord Strathclyde attended. Neither ‘Fluffy’ Mundell, Scotlands only Conservative MP, or Annabel Goldie MSP, the Scottish Conservative leader at Holyrood, were amongst those invited.
Looks like the Conservative Illuminati have declared that pair ‘personae non gratae’.
Could Scotland be about to come a Tory Free Zone?
It is indeed John. I'm hoping Fitaloon reads it and leaves a comment.
My thought is that Annabel is now past her use by date and Derek Brownlee ought to be brought to the fore.
Still I think they'll get a few more seats at the GE.
This is getting better and better.
The Loyal Orange Order supporting Labour, or is it to be the BNP, against the SNP; anybody but the SNP?
Priceless.
What strange bedfellows Labour are willing to court.
Meanwhile over on the Sunday Herald website it appears Dave Boy Cameron is surveying the prospect of him being in a majority at Westminster but that pesky rebel Salmond being in a majority in Scotland with the Conservatives having maybe a couple of Westminster seats.
Question
"Who will be the given the honour of squaring off against Salmond as Sec of State. Logically it would fall to Mundell as the ONLY Tory MP now and probably after the GE?
However, there appears to be a swelling of hidden voices against such an appointment as Mundell does to appear not to be up to the job.
The solution being touted, enoble some Scottish Tory and run Scotland from The House of Lords!
Excellent!
A real Lord to be The Viceroy for this far and distant colony, of which London knows little and cares even less.
It just gets better day by day.
Bring it on!
Witterings from Witney is right - as soon as the Lisbon Treaty is signed it's game over. We've been stitched up and handed over on a silver platter.
Bring it on? It's already upon us bar the shouting.
I think you're right GV and wait until those who wouldn't listen start yelling...
On a human level, if this came as a surprise to Mr Mundell, and he only found out about it in the press today - he must be shattered. On a human level, he will be badly hurt.
On a political level, what an own goal. You couldn't make it up or indeed buy the script for it.
Once again we are in the Raj with a Governor General appointed to look after the savages.......what a hoot!
Billygoat I've just started a post on the Orangemen scenario, but I'll not bother finishing it - you've done it too well. :)
Aye it's all becoming quite a farce with the unionists. Great fun.
I do feel a little sorry for Mundell Dram, because he even broke up a holiday to speak for Dave in the summer. Did I say a little sorry? Auch I meant a wee, wee bit sorry.
Surely he's got the hint now, but then most MPs are quite thick skinned.
It's going to be fun and games in Dumfriesshire at election time I bet.
Lord Rifkind of Should'veGoneTo SpecSavers?
The toe-curling dearth of any Opposition in the current Holyrood and the anticipated eradication of any residual opposing presence after 2011 may require Mr Salmond to appoint his own Devil's Advocate to sustain any political debate. As much as I want Independence, Scotland needs an intelligent and moral Opposition to check and balance.
Subrosa..
I have watched Mundell in Scottish questions (Westminster) and he can be firey and witty but as Scottish secertory?? OMG Salmond would eat the guy up, yummy nothing like a mundell and raspberry sauce...!!
I suspect Mundell will either be hoping for no other Tory gains in Scotland at the UK election or he will just accept that he is crap.
The thing is for Cameron, will he win any extra seats in Scotland? Labours vote has not fallen back that far in Scotland for Cameron to pick up extra seats. No matter how the SNP preform i think it is safe to say the SNP,s vote will go up and who knows, the SNP could even win in D&G and oust Mundell.
The only secetory of state i want for Scotland is one that is accountible to Edinburgh and not a puppet for London.
So my ideal person would be Michael Russell .
You may get your wish Spook, sooner than you think. Just let's see how the GE works out.
Awe Clarinda, mocking dear old Malc. He used to be good in his day - I heard several of his speeches over the years, but of course he's no longer passionate about politics although enjoys the rewards.
I can't see labour changing to be a party of any quality before the Scottish elections and the libdems are all wind and water, which leaves just the tories to create debate.
Yes, we do need an intelligent and moral opposition and I see very few characters within the Chamber who fit that description.
There's more to this than meets the eyes. Incompetence has never stopped the Tories from promoting dunderheids before, nobody remember Ian Lang, now Baron Lang of Monkton, of Merrick and the Rhinns of Kells?
Mundell's abrupt ending of his marriage and the continual speculation as to whom he's shacked up with now causes some real consternation to the blue rinse and hoary sons of the land.
Dave's Tories may like to be seen as more 'inclusive' these days, however the practicalities are that Mundell as Secrettart of State for Scotland would not hold up to scrutiny from salacious tabloids...
wv Imfree
Jings Monty, you never fail to ring bells for me. Ian Lang was one reason I joined the SNP many moons ago.
I didn't realise Mundell had a colourful private life. Well, well.
Nice WV. :)
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