Press play to listen to this article
Voiced by artificial intelligence.
Scottish National Party MP Lisa Cameron has announced she is defecting to the Conservatives.
The MP for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow, told the Daily Mail she is switching sides due to what she called a “toxic and bullying” environment within the SNP, which has long campaigned for Scottish independence. The party she’s joining is staunchly pro-union.
But, writing in the paper, 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 counseling 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.”
Cameron has been outspoken on a range of issues in recent months, including her opposition to the Scottish government’s controversial legislation making it easier to legally change gender. Cameron was facing a tough battle in her own constituency to be reselected as the SNP’s parliamentary candidate.
Her move to the Scottish Conservatives has been welcomed by the leader of the party north of the border, Douglas Ross, who said Cameron will “stand up for everyone who has been forgotten by the SNP to get the focus onto Scotland’s real priorities.”
Shrugging off the defection, SNP leader — and Scottish first minister — Humza Yousaf said: “It’s the least surprising news I’ve had as leader of the SNP, I must confess. Lisa Cameron should do the honorable thing, she should resign her seat.”
The 2019 general election saw Cameron win a healthy majority of 13,322 in her seat. Her defection comes on the eve of the SNP’s annual conference.