MP Dr. Lisa Cameron has left the Scottish National Party (SNP) and joined the Scottish Conservatives, citing a “toxic and bullying” environment within the SNP.
Dr. Cameron’s decision came on the day of a selection battle in her East Kilbride, Strathaven, and Lesmahagow constituency. The move has sparked criticism, with SNP leaders urging her to resign her seat, while Conservative MPs have welcomed her into their ranks.
Speaking to the Scottish Daily Mail, Dr. Cameron said: “I do not feel able to continue in what I have experienced as a toxic and bullying SNP Westminster group, which resulted in my requiring counselling for a period of 12 months in Parliament and caused significant deterioration in my health and wellbeing as assessed by my GP including the need for antidepressants.
“I will never regret my actions in standing up for a victim of abuse at the hands of an SNP MP last year, but I have no faith remaining in a party whose leadership supported the perpetrator’s interests over that of the victims and who have shown little to no interest in acknowledging or addressing the impact.
“It is also true that I have received no contact from party leadership in the past weeks, despite members of every other main political party contacting me to offer support and compassion during what has been an extremely difficult time.”
‘Probably Never Supported’ Independence
Speaking to PA he said: “To see somebody who claims to have supported Scottish independence cross the floor to the Conservative and Unionist Party betrays the fact that she probably never believed in the cause in the first place.”
Dr. Cameron stated that her mental well-being had deteriorated, leading to her need for counselling and antidepressants. She also mentioned feeling unsupported by SNP leadership and praised Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for his positive leadership style.
Mr. Sunak posted on X, welcoming her arrival: “Delighted Lisa has joined @Conservatives-she’s a brave constituency MP. Together, we’ll work on the issues that matter to people in East Kilbride, Strathaven & Lesmahagow.
“We’ll make long-term decisions for a brighter future for the whole of the UK.”
SNP ‘Hopelessly Divided’
Mr. Ross said: “I’m delighted to welcome Lisa Cameron to the Conservative Party.“Like many ex-SNP supporters, she has realised that her former party is hopelessly divided under Humza Yousaf and incapable of focusing on the real priorities of the Scottish people.
“Lisa took a principled stand in supporting the victim in the Patrick Grady case, when her party took the side of the disgraced MP. For doing so, she has been shamefully and inexplicably mistreated by the SNP.
He added: “I look forward to working with Lisa, who recognises the Conservative Party and the prime minister are focused on the issues that matter to people in Scotland and across the UK.”
Scottish Tory MP John Lamont also extended his welcome, adding that the Conservatives would “stand up for everyone the SNP ignores.”
A spokesperson from the SNP said: “The people of East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow will be appalled they are now represented by a Conservative and Unionist MP.
“Lisa Cameron should now do the right thing and step down to allow a by-election.
“Her constituents elected an SNP MP not a Tory, and they deserve to have the democratic opportunity to elect a hard-working SNP MP who will put the interests of Scotland first. On a personal basis, we wish her well.”
The SNP declined to comment on the allegation of bullying.
‘Two Sides Of The Same Coin’
Ian Murray, Labour MP and shadow secretary for Scotland, said: “This bizarre move shows that the SNP is falling apart before our eyes.“The fact is that the SNP and the Tories are two sides of the same coin—putting the cause of division before the needs of the people.
“While the SNP and Tories compete to out-do each other in incompetence, Labour is focused on rebuilding our country and getting Britain its future back.”
The latest YouGov polling from September suggested that both the Tories and the SNP have seen a slight uptick in electoral popularity, with the Tories on 16 percent and the SNP on 38 percent. Labour fell by eight points to 27 percent.
