Russell Findlay has become the first MSP to enter the race to replace Douglas Ross as the leader of the Scottish Conservatives.
The former crime journalist was widely expected to run for the position and has already been backed by several of his colleagues at Holyrood.
Writing in the Scottish Daily Mail, the West Scotland MSP pitched himself as a candidate for change, both within his party and the country.
The former STV News, Scottish Sun and Sunday Mail reporter said his party had not been conservative enough in recent years.
He said he wanted to “reconnect” the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party with its “traditional values of enterprise, self-reliance, fiscal responsibility and the rule of law”.
STV NewsIt comes after the party’s vote share collapsed in Scotland, nearly halving to 12.7%.
Ross, who has led the party since 2020, announced before the July 4 vote that he would step down as leader.
That came after anger within Tory ranks over his decision to stand for re-election as an MP, despite being an MSP and previously pledging to focus on Holyrood.
There was also a row about the leader replacing David Duguid as the candidate for the Aberdeenshire North and Moray East seat, with the party saying he was too sick to stand, although Duguid denies this.
It’s not yet clear when the official race to replace Ross will begin but whoever wins the top job will lead the opposition at Holyrood as the Parliament’s second-largest party.
Findlay could face competition from up to nine Tory MSPs who are reported to be considering bids, amounting to nearly a third of the parliamentary party.
They include deputy leader Meghan Gallacher and party chair Craig Hoy. Veteran MSP Murdo Fraser and former justice spokesperson Jamie Greene – who was replaced in the role by Findlay – are also touted as potential runners.
Findlay said he would return the Scottish Tories to their “traditional values” and focus on the aspirations of normal people.
He said: “There is a common-sense coalition that we can build to meet the aspirations of ordinary people.
“I’m standing as a candidate for the leadership of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party because I believe we have the chance to change Scotland for the better.”
He said he would lead a party that stands for “aspirational conservatism”, adding: “It’s a conservatism which is pro-worker too – it understands backing business isn’t about maximising the profits of shareholders, it’s about generating the stable, well-paid jobs needed so that everyone can benefit from economic growth.
“I believe there is wide, and as-yet untapped, support in Scotland for a conservatism that is unashamedly aspirational in its character and for encouraging a society which respects and rewards individual effort and initiative.
“We know there are many people out there in Scotland who think conservative but don’t currently vote Conservative.
“There are many people who don’t feel we, or any other party, properly represents them.”
Findlay previously wrote books about gang crime in Scotland and in 2015 was the victim of an acid attack.
The assailant, who disguised himself as a postman, was sentenced to ten years in prison.
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