UK
Scottish Conservatives leadership race: Russell Findlay, Murdo Fraser and Meghan Gallacher in running to replace Douglas Ross
Three MSPs will battle it out in the Scottish Tory leadership race.
Russell Findlay, Murdo Fraser and Meghan Gallacher will now proceed to a ballot of the party’s membership to determine who will replace outgoing leader Douglas Ross.
The trio secured the 100 nominations required from members and saw off competition from fellow MSPs Brian Whittle, Liam Kerr and Jamie Greene.
Mr Whittle, Mr Kerr and Mr Greene dropped out of the race and have thrown their support behind Mr Fraser.
Mr Fraser with supporters at his leadership campaign launch. Pic: PA
During his official campaign launch in Perth earlier on Thursday, Mr Fraser called on Mr Findlay and Ms Gallacher to drop their bids and join his team – essentially coronating him as leader.
In response, Mr Findlay said he’s always been “opposed to a coronation, of myself or anyone else”.
He added: “Our members should decide the next leader. Not any small group of people at Holyrood.”
Mr Findlay with supporters at his leadership campaign launch. Pic: Dave Johnson
The nomination stage closed at noon on 22 August, with voting due to take place between 4-26 September.
A series of hustings will now be held across the country, with a winner expected to be announced on 27 September – before the UK Conservative Party reveals Rishi Sunak’s successor on 2 November.
Craig Hoy MSP, the party’s chairman, congratulated all those who made the next round.
He added: “We now look forward to an open contest between the three candidates, giving them the opportunity to outline their vision and policies at hustings events to be held up and down Scotland over the coming weeks.”
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Russell Findlay
Mr Findlay. Pic: Dave Johnson
Mr Findlay has been the MSP for West Scotland since 2021 and is the party’s justice spokesperson at Holyrood.
He has worked as a journalist for STV News, the Scottish Sun and the Sunday Mail.
His investigation into the disappearance of Margaret Fleming was used to help prosecute her killers.
As an author, Mr Findlay has written books on gangland crime and was the victim of an acid attack in 2015 when an assailant appeared on his doorstep disguised as a postman.
In 2017, the attacker was handed a 15-year extended sentence, with 10 years in jail and five years on licence once released back into the community.
Mr Findlay has set out policies on lowering tax, overhauling the education curriculum, and reducing red tape for businesses.
During his campaign launch earlier this week, he said there would be “no split, no separation” with the UK Conservatives and argued the party has to find new purpose beyond the constitutional argument around Scottish independence.
He said: “Under my leadership, the Scottish Conservatives will once again speak for mainstream Scotland which has been neglected and marginalised during nearly two decades of miserable SNP rule.
“You know the Scotland I mean because you live in it too. It’s the world outside the political bubble.”
He said the party has lost the “mojo” of the Ruth Davidson era and said it is time to “bring back some sunshine, positivity and hope”.
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Murdo Fraser
Mr Fraser. Pic: PA
Mr Fraser, 58, is the longest-serving Scottish Tory MSP and has represented the Mid Scotland and Fife region since 2001.
He has previously served as deputy leader of the party and is currently the shadow cabinet secretary for business, economic growth and tourism.
Mr Fraser ran to lead the Scottish Tories in 2011 to replace Annabel Goldie but lost out to Ruth Davidson.
During his campaign launch, Mr Fraser pitched himself as the candidate for change, borrowing a phrase from Kate Forbes’s SNP leadership bid – “continuity won’t cut it”.
He said: “These last few weeks have been immensely difficult for our party. Just last month we saw a general election where our vote share slumped to the lowest it has ever been in our party’s history.
“We have seen a fractious leadership contest so far, with persistent anonymous briefings against candidates, including me and my colleagues here.
“We have also seen concerning claims being raised about the conduct of the Scottish leader in relation to interference in at least two candidate selections.
“The last few weeks have proven that real change is an absolute necessity. It is a matter of survival for our party.
“For too long in this party we have had too much power concentrated in too few hands, and now we see the effects of that. That has to change now.”
Mr Fraser has pledged to hold an independent commission on the structure of the Scottish Tories if he wins the leadership.
During his previous bid, he suggested a split from the Tories south of the border but has since said his view on that has changed.
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Meghan Gallacher
Ms Gallacher. Pic: PA
Ms Gallacher, 32, is a former North Lanarkshire councillor and has been the MSP for Central Scotland since 2021.
She recently served as the party’s deputy leader, but dramatically quit last week amid reports over the alleged conduct of Mr Ross around the general election – allegations he has strongly denied.
When announcing her leadership bid, Ms Gallacher said the contest presents the party with the “opportunity for a reset”.
She announced plans to build a “modern, centre-right party” with policies focusing on low taxes, property ownership, supporting families and protecting “rights and liberties”.
She added: “We need someone who can unite the party, who can reach out to people who have never thought of voting Scottish Conservatives before. I have the experience to do just that.”
The MSP cited her time as a councillor, saying she worked with people across the political divide “in the best interests of our communities”.
Pitching herself as a “bold, dynamic and fresh-faced” leader, Ms Gallacher said she would deliver “a new beginning for the Scottish Conservatives”.