Why is Douglas Ross standing to be an MP?

Does he think he’s no chance up there?

Is it money? Will he be paid more at Westminster?

He is already an MP and MSP, holding both posts and by standing again for Westminster, if elected, he will continue to do so. In addition to these two jobs he is also a football referee. The honourable thing would be to give up his Westminster ambitions and let the person already chosen stand but Ross says that he knows how to beat the SNP and presumably the other fellow doesn't. Personally, I think his ego has taken hold of his judgment. He must be run ragged up and down to London, then over to Edinburgh not to mention haring round those football pitches.

He is the leader of the opposition in Holyrood.

Here's the comment from David Duguid who expected to be standing in that constituency. Bit nasty of Ross, but sadly not unexpected

As Parsley3 says, he is already MP for Moray, but the constituency is being split. Moray East is being joined to the constituency of David Duguid, who is the man who has not been selected as Tory candidate because of illness. It's all a bit of a mess, and not pleasant for Mr Duguid. (I feel a bit sorry for him, even though he is a Tory!)

Mr Ross, or DRoss as he is known by some, was said not to be intending to stand for election as an MP this time, but to concentrate on being leader of the Scottish Tories in Holyrood.

Agree with Parsley3 - he’s all ego and no sense, and always was. I think he’s behaved abysmally in this situation, and it would be delightful if he was trounced (sadly, I don’t think he will be).

Pantglas2

Is it money? Will he be paid more at Westminster?

Our own Welsh Secretary did that.

He did forego his Welsh Assembly salary for the short time he was doing both jobs.

I think Ross foregoes one of his salaries but I will check.

It is reported that Ross donates his MSP salary to charities.

I hope he loses votes because of this, but the people I have spoken to, who are all disgusted by this, wouldn't have voted Tory anyway, so that's not much use as a poll!

I just don’t see how anybody could do justice to two jobs, or what the benefit is to him either. The next Scottish elections aren’t for a while, by which time the post Westminster election fever will have abated and he has a better chance of retaining his MSP role. I think it should be one role or the other, not just for him, but for anybody in a devolved administration - as it is for local councillors.

He has three jobs - he's a football referee or linesman (can't remember which, sorry) and declares the income from that too. Don't know if he donates it or keeps it though. I agree with you, Casdon, that one job should be enough.

Dross!
Love it!
Could have been Colin - Cross

Or George -Gross!
Such fun

RosiesMaw

Pantglas2

Is it money? Will he be paid more at Westminster?

Not to mention also all the expense claims.

Interesting comments by Parsley.

I think the latest story about Douglas Ross claiming his referee travel costs from the tax payer may scupper his chances of standing in either election

He's not the first joint MSP and MP. Nasty misinformation being put about about him. Can only guess who's behind it. Nothing the opposition likes better than a good smear! I'd not be voting for him but he's not a bad man.

Aveline

He's not the first joint MSP and MP. Nasty misinformation being put about about him. Can only guess who's behind it. Nothing the opposition likes better than a good smear! I'd not be voting for him but he's not a bad man.

Where do you think it’s coming from Aveline? Opposition party or within the Tory party?

He may not be a bad man but he’s a useless MP - doesn’t answer emails if a constituent says something he disagrees with, or answers the question he thinks should have been asked rather than the one which was asked.

I don't see any misinformation about him. It is fact that, if successful, he will have three jobs. It is also fact that he was on the panel which deselected the previous man and then he announced he would stand himself.

Opposition happily jumping on anything to smear him. He's explained in detail all about the selection decision. The poor chap who was deselected, although recovering from serious illness, was not likely to be fully fit for ages. Ross is fit, experienced and local. Probably a better bet than helicoptering in some outsider. A pragmatic decision it seems to me.
SNP, Labour, Greens would all count themselves as opposition.

David Duguid has said that it was the party management board”that decided to not allow me to be the candidate although none of them visited me”

I don’t know what a going on but David Duduid is not a happy man.