New Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay has promised to ‘transform’ the party

The newly elected leader of the Scottish Conservatives, Russell Findlay, said his party would change to “win back public trust”.

The former journalist easily defeated his colleagues in the Scottish Parliament, Murdo Fraser and Meghan Gallacher in the party membership election.

The contest follows the resignation of Douglas Ross, who announced in the middle of the general election campaign that he was standing down as Scottish leader.

Findlay said he would seek to represent those who are “appalled” by the “obsession with the fringes of the Scottish Parliament” and feel that politicians do not understand the concerns of ordinary voters.

The new leader has been MSP for the West of Scotland since 2021 and is the party’s justice spokesman.

The election was held after an often tense campaign, with complaints from one of the candidates about party interference in the contest.

A total of 4,155 people voted out of a total of 6,941 eligible party members, with a voter turnout of 60%.

Findlay received 2,565 votes, Fraser 1,187 and Gallacher 403.

The new leader said the party needed to be a “combined team” after what it called a bruising period.

“Let us start working hard now to regain public trust,” he said.

“I want to send a message to people across Scotland who do not feel that they are represented, who are appalled by the divisiveness and fringe obsession of the Scottish Parliament, who feel let down and failed by politicians of every party, including us. who think politicians are all the same .

“I feel like that—I know, but I’m not the same.”

Findlay said the party will change under his leadership.

“We will work hard to earn their trust by doing things differently,” he said.

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

He said voters wanted to see “common sense for change” and he was determined to deliver.

The party’s new leader now faces a busy few days ahead.

A ceremony to mark the 25th anniversary of devolution is being held at the Scottish Parliament on Saturday, with Findlay due to deliver a speech before the King and Queen.

He then has to go to the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham, where he will do some engagements.

The appointment of the frontbench team is expected to take place next week.

Opponents were quick to offer their congratulations on social media.

Murdo Fraser said he looked forward to working with Findlay “to deliver the change the party and Scotland need”.

“Now is the time to unite as a team and move forward together,” he said.

Meghan Gallacher said members had “spoken very well” and the party needed to unite before the next Holyrood election.

However, SNP MSP Kevin Stewart said “the face of Tory politics in Scotland” could now change, but accused Russell Findlay of not having “the desire to stand up for Scotland’s interests”.

He said: “The Tories went into party conference divided and marred by infighting.

“He may finally replace one of the two lame duck leaders – but the defeated Rishi Sunak is still pulling the strings until November, as the longest leadership contest in history continues to unfold.”

Scottish Labour’s deputy leader, Dame Jackie Baillie, said this year’s election showed voters wanted change.

“Rearranging the deck chairs will not prevent the Tories from going down after 14 years of letting Scotland down.

“The Tories still owe Scotland an apology for gambling with the family’s savings, crashing the economy and sending bills soaring while putting the party before the country.”

The leadership election was triggered when Douglas Ross announced he was standing down as leader following his decision to contest the Aberdeenshire North and Moray East seats at Westminster, replacing former MP David Duguid, who is recovering from a spinal stroke.

The decision angered MSPs and party members after Ross previously said he would quit Westminster to focus on Holyrood.

He was forced to announce in the middle of the general election campaign that he would stand down as leader after polling day.

Speak in Good Morning Scotland BBC Saturday’s radio program, election expert Prof. Sir John Curtice said the campaign has been “fractious”, after a period when the party has seen its support falling away.

“We are talking about the party that got more than 12.5% ​​of the vote in the general election, the worst performance,” he said.