There is a "simple lack of thinkers" on the Conservative benches at Holyrood, they don't have the capacity to formulate their own policy independently.

The next Holyrood manifesto will recycle existing policy positions and that the Scottish party "don't get" the new moderation of the Westminster party.

In a memo - leaked to the Daily Record - reveals Tory chiefs have completely lost confidence in their Scottish team, including leader Annabel Goldie. Mundell's confidential briefing to David Cameron emerged as the Tory leader prepared to head to Perth for a pre-election speech to rally the party faithful.

The four-page memo claims there is a "simple lack of thinkers" among the 17 Tory MSPs and they are incapable of coming up with new policies.

Mundell, an MSP from 1999 to 2005, also told Cameron that Goldie has been slated for "lack of activity" and MSPs have failed to embrace the party's moderate new approach, saying they "don't get it".

No wonder so many Tories are keen on an English parliament!