Former reporter Russell Findlay elected as leader of Scottish Tories

Key Points

Russell Findlay beats rivals Meghan Gallacher and Murdo Fraser to become Scottish Tory leader
Former investigative reporter replaced Douglas Ross as leader of the opposition in Holyrood
West Scotland MSP vows to ‘restore trust’ in the party following a crushing defeat at the General Election
Findlay will speak before the King on Saturday before heading to the UK Tory conference in Birmingham to deliver a speech

Former investigative journalist Russell Findlay has been confirmed as the new Scottish Tory leader.

Findlay beat rivals Murdo Fraser and Meghan Gallacher in the ballot of party members to take over from Douglas Ross in Holyrood.

The field narrowed from six to three after Brian Whittle, Jamie Greene and Liam Kerr dropped their bid for the top job.

Polls closed for Scottish Tory members – of which there are 6941 – at noon on Thursday, with the result announced just after 10am on Friday.

The new leader won 2,565 votes on a turnout of 60% with Murdo Fraser coming second with 1,187 votes and Meghan Gallacher in third with 403 votes.

The Scottish Greens, the fourth largest party in Holyrood reported a membership last year of 7,646 while Alex Salmond’s Alba Party, which has one MSP, said it had 7,507 members in 2023. The SNP remains the largest party in Scotland with 64,525 members.

Findlay, a former STV News, Sunday Mail and Scottish Sun journalist, vowed to restore unity in the party, following infighting during the leadership contest.

Speaking at an event in Edinburgh where the leadership result was declared, he told his party: “Let’s start the hard work right now to win back public trust.”

His comments came as he reached out to voters across Scotland “who don’t feel anyone represents them, who are scunnered by the divisiveness and fringe obsessions of the Scottish Parliament, who feel let down and failed by politicians of every single party”, and who “think politicians are all the same”.

Findlay said: “If you feel that way, I get it.

“But I am not the same, I am not a career politician. I understand your frustrations and your sense that nobody really represents the views you share and hold. And that is going to change.

“Under my leadership, the Scottish Conservatives are going to change.”

Thank you all. It’s an absolute privilege to be elected leader of the @ScotTories. The hard work starts now.

Under my leadership, we are going to change. We’ll represent everyone who wants some common sense for a change. 💙
— Russell Findlay MSP (@RussellFindlay1) September 27, 2024

He told Scots: “We will work hard to earn your trust by doing things differently.

“We will be a voice for decent mainstream Scotland and the values of hard work, self-reliance, and value for taxpayers.”

Adding that voters want to see “see common sense for a change” from politicians, he added: “We are determined to deliver it.”

Speaking to STV News after his victory, Findlay said he would speak to “ordinary people across Scotland”.

“I look at what goes on in Holyrood so often and shake my head at what we waste huge amounts of time talking about and debating,” he said.

Asked about his endorsement of former Tory leader and prime minister Liz Truss, Findlay says all politicians make mistakes.

He added: “Politicians make mistakes and I hold my hands up. It’s the same way Anas Sarwar tried to put Jeremy Corbyn on Downing Street, you know, sometimes you make a bad call.

“I would like to bring forward to the people of Scotland a range of Conservative policies that show people we’re on their side.”

Findlay will inherit a difficult legacy from Ross, who was driven out of the role following his decision to stand in the Aberdeenshire North and Moray East seat at Westminster in place of former MP David Duguid, who was recovering from a spinal stroke.

The decision irked MSPs and party members after Ross had previously said he would stand down from Westminster to focus on Holyrood. He was forced to announce in the midst of the general election campaign that he would quit as leader after polling day.

Ross said it had been an “honour and a privilege” to lead the Scottish Tories since 2020, adding: “

It’s been an honour and privilege to lead the @ScotTories for the last 4 years.

Many congratulations to @RussellFindlay1 on his election and to everyone who put themselves forward to make this an engaging contest.

I look forward to supporting Russell and his team going forward. https://t.co/QWSbgiPEsi
— Douglas Ross MSP (@Douglas4Moray) September 27, 2024

“Many congratulations to Russell Findlay on his election and to everyone who put themselves forward to make this an engaging contest. I look forward to supporting Russell and his team going forward.”

Rival Gallacher posted on social media: “Congratulations to Russell Findlay on his election as leader of the Scottish Tories.

“The membership has spoken resoundingly and we must all unite as a team as we approach the next Holyrood election. Job well done.”

Fraser added: “Congratulations to Russell Findlay on his election as leader of the Scottish Tories.

“I look forward to working with him to deliver the change that our party and Scotland needs.

“Thanks to all our members who supported me, but now is the time to unite as a team and move forward together.”

The newest incumbent will face a punishing first few days.

As well as an intense media round following the announcement on Friday, a ceremony to mark the 25th anniversary of devolution is being held at the Scottish Parliament on Saturday, with the new leader due to join others in making a speech before the King and Queen.

Within 24 hours, they will need to head to the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham, where they will undertake a number of engagements.

Appointments of their frontbench team are expected to take place next week.