Commenting on the election of Boris Johnson South Scotland Labour MSP Colin Smyth said,

“Boris Johnson is a dangerous English nationalist. His election as Conservative Leader means that never again can the Tories claim to be the party of the UK having just imposed on us a Prime Minister who is actually the biggest threat to the Union itself. Boris Johnson’s election will do more to boost support for independence than anything Nicola Sturgeon can do”.

“In the short term, Boris Johnson has also made it clear that he would happily pursue a No Deal Brexit which would spell disaster for the economy. It is unforgivable that local Tories have given their backing to a course of action that will destroy jobs in their own region”.

“It is utterly shameless that the Secretary of State for Scotland David Mundell was one of the first to pat Boris Johnson on the back despite previously pretty much saying he wasn’t for to be Prime Minister and that he wouldn’t serve in his Cabinet. By now supporting a Prime Minister who would be happy with a No Deal Brexit, David Mundell has shown that he is more interested in keeping his Ministerial Chauffeur than he is keeping the jobs of his own constituents”.