John Lamont, the MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk, has been removed from his position as Shadow Scottish Secretary after supporting the unsuccessful candidate in the recent Tory leadership contest. Kemi Badenoch, the new Tory leader, ousted Lamont from the Conservative frontbench on Tuesday morning. Lamont had openly endorsed Robert Jenrick over Badenoch in the race to succeed Rishi Sunak as the Tory leader, leading to his dismissal.
Lamont, who had been serving as Shadow Scottish Secretary since the Tories’ general election loss in July, had a background as a Scotland Office minister for two years. He has been an MP since 2017, winning his seat from the SNP and previously serving as an MSP from 2007. His support for Jenrick, a right-winger, raised eyebrows as Lamont is not considered to be on the right of the party. In contrast, his replacement, Andrew Bowie, MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, had backed Badenoch for the leadership and has experience as Shadow Energy Secretary.
Bowie, who was elected in 2017, has held various government roles, including nuclear minister. He is now taking over as Shadow Scottish Secretary from Lamont. Lamont’s support for Jenrick was based on his belief that “immigration is a defining issue for the party.” With Badenoch’s victory in the leadership race, Jenrick was appointed as Shadow Justice Secretary, while Priti Patel was named Shadow Foreign Secretary, and Mel Stride as Shadow Chancellor.
Moving forward, it will be interesting to see how the dynamic within the Conservative Party in Scotland shifts with these leadership changes. It is clear that loyalty and alignment with the party’s chosen direction play a significant role in determining individuals’ positions within the party structure. This event serves as a reminder of the intricate politics and alliances at play within political parties, influencing decision-making and reshaping leadership roles.