MP Lisa Cameron Switches Allegiance from SNP to Conservatives

 

The Member of Parliament for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow faced a selection contest to secure the SNP’s candidacy in the upcoming general election.

She cited a “toxic” culture within the party’s Westminster group as her reason for resigning.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross extended their welcome to her upon joining their party. The SNP has called for Dr. Cameron to step down, paving the way for a by-election.

While extending personal well wishes, an SNP spokesperson expressed concern that her constituents might be dismayed to now have a Conservative MP representing them.

Rishi Sunak expressed his delight in welcoming a “brave and committed” MP to the Conservative Party, affirming the need for more empathetic and less divisive politics.

Dr. Cameron, a former NHS clinical psychologist, disclosed that she had received support from Mr. Sunak as her mental well-being suffered in recent weeks, but had not heard from the SNP leadership.

She reversed her stance on Scottish independence, deeming it divisive, and pledged to concentrate on “constructive policies”.

The MP previously claimed she was “ostracised” by the SNP after speaking out against the handling of allegations involving former Westminster chief whip Patrick Grady.

At the time, Dr. Cameron did not rule out the possibility of resigning and triggering a by-election if she didn’t secure the SNP nomination.

The MP, challenged by party staffer Grant Costello, was scheduled to learn the results of the selection contest on Thursday.

SNP insiders informed the BBC that her defeat was anticipated.

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn responded, stating that her assertions of feeling ostracised did not align with his own experiences in Westminster.

Dr. Cameron’s decision comes in the wake of a significant defeat for the SNP by Labour in the recent Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election.

In her statement, she remarked, “I find myself unable to continue within what I’ve perceived as a toxic and bullying SNP Westminster group. This led to me seeking counselling for a period of 12 months while in Parliament and resulted in a notable decline in my health and wellbeing, as assessed by my GP, including the need for antidepressants.”

“While I’ll never regret taking a stand for a victim of abuse at the hands of an SNP MP last year, I’ve lost faith in a party whose leadership appeared to prioritize the interests of the perpetrator over those of the victims. There has been little to no effort to acknowledge or address the resulting impact.”

Dr. Cameron expressed her gratitude towards the Prime Minister, praising his “positive, inclusive leadership”. She further mentioned that families, including her own, have grappled with significant divisions over the issue of independence.

Concluding her statement, Dr. Cameron stated, “This has taken a toll on me, and I’ve come to the conclusion that it would be more constructive to direct my efforts towards policies that benefit everyone across the four nations of the UK, and to work towards mending these divisions for the greater good.”

This defection means that the Conservatives now hold 353 MPs, including seven from the Scottish Tories, while the SNP has 43.

In terms of defections, this is a truly remarkable development. The SNP and the Conservatives are often viewed as complete opposites in Scottish politics, particularly concerning the matter of Scottish independence.

The SNP’s primary aim is to advocate for an independent Scottish state, while the Conservative and Unionist party’s core principle is preserving the unity of the UK, as implied by its name.

Lisa Cameron’s switch from one side to the other comes as a surprising win for Rishi Sunak, but it also exposes a significant rift within the SNP, just as Humza Yousaf gears up for his inaugural annual conference as party leader.

Unlike a change of party allegiance between general elections, no by-election is required. Dr. Cameron is permitted to remain a Tory MP without the public having a say in the matter.

If she chooses to stand again as a Conservative, her prospects for re-election appear uncertain. In the 2019 election, the Tories ranked third in East Kilbride, Strathaven, and Lesmahagow.

Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross extended a warm welcome to Dr. Cameron upon joining the party, remarking, “Like many former SNP supporters, she has come to realise that her former party is severely divided under Humza Yousaf and unable to concentrate on the genuine priorities of the Scottish people.”

Scottish Labour MP Ian Murray commented, “This peculiar move demonstrates that the SNP is unraveling right before our eyes.”

Dr. Cameron will serve as a Conservative MP until the forthcoming general election, expected to take place next year. Due to alterations in Westminster boundaries, her constituency will change to East Kilbride and Strathaven in the next UK poll.

Following the MP’s earlier threat to trigger a by-election, party insiders informed BBC Scotland News that they contested her allegations of bullying and expressed discontent within the party.

Previously, concerns were raised over a leaked letter authored by Dr. Cameron to the Scottish Secretary Alister Jack, which seemed to endorse his decision to oppose the Scottish government’s contentious gender recognition reform.

In 2019, she voiced apprehensions about potential deselection after being one of just two SNP MPs to vote against the repeal of Northern Ireland’s abortion restrictions.

There were also murmurs of discontent within the local party regarding the frequency of Dr. Cameron’s taxpayer-funded trips abroad in her parliamentary capacity, coupled with a perception that she lacks a collaborative approach.

A source from the East Kilbride SNP branch remarked that the defection was “unsurprising,” but it stung for members.

“It’s evident that she lost trust among the members and had minimal support,” they noted.

“East Kilbride and Strathaven deserve an SNP representative who will vigorously advocate for the local community, championing independence as the remedy for ousting the Tories.”