Greene writes to thousands of former Conservative voters urging them to abandon the party

Former Scottish Conservative MSP Jamie Greene has written to thousands of voters who formerly backed the Scottish Conservative party urging them to abandon the party.

His letter urges those who feel politically homeless as a result of the Conservatives' shift towards a “Trumpesque” agenda to back Scottish Liberal Democrats “positive and inclusive” vision instead.

His comments come as the Liberal Democrats are expected to take scores of seats from the Conservatives at the local elections. 

Jamie Greene’s letter, which is being sent to voters previously canvassed as having voted for the Conservative party, is as follows:

Dear friend,

I've just quit the Conservatives and joined the Lib Dems, and I want to tell you why.

When Ruth Davidson asked me to stand for the Scottish Parliament and become an MSP back in 2016, the Scottish Conservatives were decent, welcoming, aspirational, and could be trusted with the economy.

Well, I’m sad to say that's all gone. The party in which I once found a home has been reduced to Reform-lite. Its agenda is Trumpesque in style and substance. It talks about what it stands against, but has little to say about what it stands for.

Most importantly, the broad church it was once shifted further and further to the right, alienating many of its members, voters and in my case its elected representatives.  

I couldn't go on.

So I joined the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

I've found a party that is upbeat and positive. They believe in decency and respect in public life. Getting things done for our local communities is their bread and butter. That’s what politics is all about, after all. Getting stuff done.

So my challenge to you is this: If you feel like I did, politically homeless and scunnered with the Scottish Conservatives, do something about it. Come and join me in the Scottish Liberal Democrats and you will be made to feel most welcome I assure you.

The language of far-right division doesn’t make peoples’ lives better. It won’t make Scotland and its communities any better. A positive and inclusive platform does.

I’ve found that in the Scottish Liberal Democrats, and you can too.

Best wishes,

Jamie Greene

MSP for West Scotland

Scottish Liberal Democrats

PS – If you know anyone who has backed the Scottish Conservatives before but who now feels scunnered, please pass this message onto them.