What's behind the Scottish Tory reshuffle?

The leader of the Scottish Conservatives has reshuffled his shadow cabinet, just as the Scottish parliament prepares to head into recess. While the rest of parliament has been focusing on winding down before the summer break, Douglas Ross’s decision making has ruffled feathers within the Tory MSP group – particularly given two of the politicians sacked had been rumoured to have leadership ambitions.

The move has prompted nervousness across the party – both among shadow ministers about who would receive what portfolio and how the MSP group would react. Last September, it was reported that MSPs were conspiring against Ross, but the coup didn’t transpire thanks to lacking consensus on who his successor would be.

So, will this latest reshuffle result in mutiny? Perhaps not immediately, but several of Ross’ group are certainly miffed about his decision making. Stephen Kerr and Jamie Greene were both thought to have been eyeing up the top job but by demoting them, Ross has weakened their prospects.