New Scottish Tory leader to be unveiled next month, Conservative Party confirm

The next Scottish Conservative leader will be in place by the end of next month, the party has confirmed.

Conservative chiefs have outlined the rules and timetable for the race following a meeting of the party’s management board on Wednesday night.

Nominations for candidates to succeed Douglas Ross will formally open on Thursday, August 8, and will close two weeks later on Thursday, August 22, at 12pm.

Chosen via a preferential voting system, the new leader of the party will be unveiled on September 27.

All those running will have to get the backing of 100 party members before they can stand, and hustings – including a national digital event – will take place across the country.

When the votes are counted the lowest ranking candidate will be eliminated, with their first preference votes redistributed until one candidate receives more than 50% of the votes cast.

So far, only two MSPs – former journalist and current Holyrood justice spokesperson Russell Findlay, and former Olympic athlete Brian Whittle – have formally declared they will run to succeed Douglas Ross.

However, there has been speculation that others, including current Scottish deputy leader Meghan Gallacher as well as veteran MSP Murdo Fraser, could also put themselves forward.

Ross, who failed in his bid to get elected to Westminster at the General Election, will remain in post as Scottish Conservative leader until then.

Scottish Conservative chairman Craig Hoy, who sits on the management board, said: “Following a two-week consultation with members and elected representatives, the management board met to agree the rules and timetable for the leadership election.

“We look forward to an open contest where candidates will be able to outline their plans and policies at hustings to be held around Scotland in the coming weeks.

“Once candidates have had the opportunity to set out their stalls, a full ballot of our members will determine the next leader of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party.”

Meanwhile, Findlay, who was first to enter the race, said he was “looking forward to a positive contest about our party’s future”.

He stated: “Change is coming in Scotland. I want us to lead it – and to do so as proud and passionate Conservatives.

“I’m standing to unite our party behind a common-sense Conservative platform with aspiration and opportunity at its heart.

“I want to invite everyone to join my campaign to build a modern, dynamic and member-led party that can deliver the electoral success that conservative Scotland needs.”