Scottish Conservative leadership Recap: Russell Findlay announced as new party leader in Edinburgh
Russell Findlay MSP has been crowned the new leader of the Scottish Conservatives.
He won 2,565 votes to see off competition from Murdo Fraser MSP and Meghan Gallacher MSP.
Recap what happened on the day.
Scottish Conservative leadership race LIVE: Follow along as the winner is announced
Key Events
- Russell Findlay MSP has been crowned the new leader of the Scottish Conservatives
- He beat the other candidates Murdo Fraser MSP and Meghan Gallacher MSP
- The new leader will take over immediately and already has a packed diary
The now former leader of the Scottish Conservatives has congratulated Russell Findlay on winning the leadership contest.
Mr Ross said: “It’s been an honour and privilege to lead the Scottish Conservatives for the last four years.
“Many congratulations to Russell Findlay MSP 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.”
Some Conservative MSPs definitely getting in early to try and secure a job in Russell Findlay’s top team.
North East MSP Douglas Lumsden here reminding people of his support for Russell Findlay’s leadership campaign before the announcement was even made.
The Scottish Conservative Councillors’ Association say they now want to work with Russell Findlay MSP to win as many seats as they can in the 2027 council elections.
A spokesperson said: “The board of the SCCA offers our congratulations to the successful candidate in the Scottish Conservative leadership contest.
“We look forward to working with Russell to strengthen support for councillors across Scotland and maximise our local government representation in the 2027 election.”
The Scottish Liberal Democrats are clearly still on a high after their stellar result at the general election in July.
Scottish leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has sent his congratulations to Russell Findlay on becoming Scottish Conservative leader, but says it is a “hospital pass” as the party is in decline.
Mr Cole-Hamilton said: “I’d like to congratulate Russell Findlay on being elected as Scottish Conservative leader.
“It’s going to be a hospital pass because his is a party in decline.
“He will also find it hard to escape his record of cheering on Liz Truss.
“There will also be voters out there who were persuaded by Ruth Davidson but who barely recognise the Conservative Party today.”
He added: “Scottish Liberal Democrats won more seats than the Scottish Conservatives at the last election, and just last night we scored an amazing and unexpected by-election victory in their heartlands of rural Perthshire.
“In huge swathes of Scotland, we’ve shown that we’re best placed to beat the SNP.
“Only we have a plan to bring down NHS waiting lists, get a fair deal for carers, help struggling pensioners, lift up Scottish education and grow our economy.”
The SNP are not congratulating Russell Findlay on becoming the leader of the second largest party in Holyrood - instead accusing him of not standing up for Scotland’s interests.
Kevin Stewart MSP said: “The face of Tory politics in Scotland may have changed, but Russell Findlay’s track record shows he has no desire to stand up for Scotland’s interests.
“The Tories head into their party conference totally divided and distracted by infighting.
“They have finally managed to swap out one of two lame duck leaders - but defeated Rishi Sunak is still pulling the strings until November, as what feels like the longest leadership contest in history rumbles on.
“Just months after the election, an array of scandals has already proven to voters that Labour and the Tories are one and the same.
“Only the SNP is focused on the issues that matter to the people of Scotland like eradicating child poverty.”
No congratulations either for Russell Findlay from the Scottish Labour Party.
Buoyed with confidence after their general election win, the party’s statement didn’t even reference Mr Findlay directly.
Deputy party leader Dame Jackie Baillie MSP said: “Rearranging the deckchairs will do nothing to stop the Tories’ downward slide after 14 years of letting Scotland down.
“The Tories still owe Scots an apology for gambling with families’ savings, crashing the economy and sending bills soaring while putting party before country.
“The 2024 election made it clear that voters want change not a return to the rotten Tory government of the past.
“Scottish Labour will return government to the service of working people and deliver the change that Scotland needs.”
Our Political Editor Alistair Grant gives his analysis of the four big challenges Russell Findlay now faces as leader of the Scottish Conservatives.
“I look forward to working with you” - is this a hint that Finlay Carson MSP is expecting a frontbench job under Russell Findlay?
Former prime minister Rishi Sunak has extended his congratulations to Russell Findlay and says he will work with him to strengthen the union.
Mr Sunak remains UK Conservative leader under his successor is elected on November 2 - meaning the pair will need to work together for over a month in leading the party.
He said: “Congratulations to Russell Findlay MSP on becoming Scottish Conservative leader.
“I look forward to working with you to strengthen the union.”
Congratulations now coming in from Central Scotland MSP Stephen Kerr.
Mr Kerr also said: “Appreciation also for Meghan Gallacher MSP and Murdo Fraser MSP, both of whom ran sterling campaigns, both of whom are dear friends and colleagues.”
He had publicly supported Mr Fraser’s campaign, despite branding his leadership campaign “awful”.
Murdo Fraser MSP has congratulated Russell Findlay on beating him in the leadership contest - Mr Fraser came second after securing 1,187 votes to Mr Findlay’s 2,565.
He said: “Congratulations to Russell Findlay MSP on his election as leader of the Scottish Conservatives.
“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.”
Meghan Gallacher MSP has conceded defeat, admitting the party has “spoken resoundingly” by electing Russell Findlay MSP as leader.
Ms Gallacher, who was deputy party leader under Douglas Ross, came third in the leadership contest with just 403 votes to Mr Findlay’s 2,565.
She said: “Congratulations to Russell Findlay MSP on his election as leader of the Scottish Conservatives.
“The membership has spoken resoundingly and we must all unite as a team as we approach the next Holyrood election.
“Job well done!”
Congratulations now from the newest Conservative MSP, Tim Eagle.
Mr Eagle became an MSP for the Highlands and Islands earlier this year after Lord Donald Cameron resigned from Holyrood to take up a position in the House of Lords.
Short and sweet congratulations from the First Minister here.
John Swinney said: “Congratulations to Russell Findlay MSP on his election as leader of the Scottish Conservatives.”
Compare this to his social media post only hours earlier congratulating the SNP’s Carol Mair, who won a by-election in Perth.
He said: “Absolutely delighted for Carol Mair - newly elected SNP councillor for Perth City North, gaining a seat from Labour in Perth and Kinross.
“Warmest thanks to our excellent team Jim Fairlie MSP and Pete Wishart MP.”
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