A TORY MSP who voted against the majority in his party on gender recognition reform has issued a pointed statement detailing his “disappointment” at losing his position in the shadow cabinet.
Party leader Douglas Ross has reshuffled his shadow cabinet just ahead of the Scottish Parliament’s summer recess.
However, Tory MSP Jamie Greene lost his post as justice spokesperson after he voted to pass the Gender Recognition Reform Bill in Holyrood last year.
In a statement released on Wednesday afternoon, Greene hinted at tensions within his party over the issue of gender recognition reform and criticised the inability of parliament to handle disagreements healthily.
“It has been an honour to serve as Shadow Justice Secretary and lead on a number of bills going through the Scottish Parliament, I am disappointed to lose that role, in particular fighting for the rights of victims in our justice system.
A short statement from me: pic.twitter.com/ng3n98JvnE
— Jamie Greene MSP (@jamiegreeneUK) June 28, 2023
“I have held three front bench positions, Transport, Education and latterly Justice since becoming an MSP in 2016.
“I believe it is vital to the good health of our politics that even in the midst of bitter division and dissent, politicians find a path to consensus where possible, and respectful disagreement where it is not.
“In the real world people don’t agree about everything all of the time, nor should they be expected to do so in politics.
“Politics is at its heart the very process of managing such disagreements. That process is characteristic of a healthy democracy, but it is a character sorely lacking in Scottish politics.
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“It is okay to disagree, both within and between political parties. Or at least, it should be.
“I take great personal pride in standing up for the things I believe to be right, uncompromisingly so. Which is why I got into politics in the first place.
“Free thinking and standing up for your principals are qualities that I take pride in; and pride is something to celebrate, not hide away.”
Greene was one of just three Tory MSPs to vote in favour of passing gender reform legislation in December, which was later blocked by the UK Government.
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