In support of Alex Salmond

The Conservatives have called for Alex Salmond to step down as a Westminster MP, highlighting his poor Westminster record.

They claimed the First Minister was now one of the poorest performers among Scottish MPs, attending fewer votes, tabling fewer motions and asking fewer questions than almost all the other Scottish MPs.

One reason for Alex Salmond's 'poor record' is that, as an MP elected in Scotland, he rightly abstains from English and Welsh legislation. David Mundell, the lone Scottish Tory at Westminster, does not abstain. Does this make David Mundell a more effective voice for Scotland? No. It just makes him a nuisance.

Under the proposed Conservative reforms all Scottish MPs will in future have poorer Westminster records. That, surely, is the way that it should be.