Russell Findlay Triumphs in Scottish Conservative Leadership Race, Pledges Unity and Change

Russell Findlay has been appointed as the new leader of the Scottish Conservatives, taking over from Douglas Ross. Findlay, who serves as the MSP for West Scotland, emerged victorious in a leadership contest against Murdo Fraser and Meghan Gallacher.

Scottish journalist @Jenster13

Friday, September 27, 2024, 12:

Russell Findlay has been chosen as the new head of the Scottish Conservative Party.

The MSP triumphed over rivals Murdo Fraser and Meghan Gallacher in the intense contest to succeed Douglas Ross.

Mr. Findlay secured a victory by garnering 2,565 votes, representing a 60% voter turnout. Mr. Fraser finished in second position with 1,187 votes, followed by Ms. Gallacher who received 403 votes to take third

The news was released before the UK Conservative Party is set to announce who will follow Rishi Sunak on November 2.

After his victory, Mr. Findlay expressed his deep respect and appreciation for both Mr. Fraser and Ms. Gallacher.

He further stated, "It's crucial that all members of our party unite and function as a single cohesive team."

"Let's begin the challenging task immediately – this very day – to regain the trust of the public. I also want to directly address individuals throughout Scotland who believe they lack representation."

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"Individuals who are frustrated by the polarizing strategies and marginal fixations of the Scottish parliament. Those who believe neglected and disappointed by leaders from all political groups – our own included.

"People often believe that all politicians are identical. It's understandable to feel that way. However, I am different. I am not a lifelong politician."

Mr. Findlay acknowledged that he is aware of the voters' "frustration".

He stated, "As the leader of the Scottish Conservatives, I'm initiating significant changes. We're committed to gaining your trust by adopting new approaches."

"We aim to represent the honorable, mainstream values of Scotland, advocating for hard work, independence, and justice for taxpayers."

"We will dedicate our full attention and efforts to addressing your issues, aspirations, and requirements.

"We understand that you're not looking for wonders from your leaders. You're simply seeking a bit of rationality, something different. And we are committed to making that happen."

Mr. Findlay has served as the Member of the Scottish Parliament for West Scotland since 2021 and currently holds the position of justice spokesperson for his party at Holyrood.

He has held positions as a reporter for STV News, the Scottish Sun, and the Sunday Mail.

His inquiry into Margaret Fleming's vanishing aided in the conviction of her murderers.

Mr. Findlay, a writer known for his works on organized crime, survived an acid attack in 2015 after an attacker, posing as a postal worker, confronted him at his home.

In 2017, the perpetrator received a total extended sentence of 15 years, comprising 10 years of incarceration followed by an additional 5 years under supervised release within the community.

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Six Scottish Conservative MSPs have declared their intentions to replace Mr. Ross, who will remain as the MSP for the Highlands and Islands.

Before the voting commenced, Brian Whittle, Liam Kerr, and Jamie Greene withdrew from the contest and endorsed Mr. Fraser.

Mr. Findlay, Mr. Fraser, and Ms. Gallacher all achieved the necessary 100 nominations to proceed and participated in a series of hustings throughout Scotland, aiming to persuade party members that they were the most suitable candidates for the position.

At the start of his campaign, Mr. Fraser urged Mr. Findlay and Ms. Gallacher to withdraw from the race and support his leadership bid, effectively endorsing him as the leader.

In his reply, Mr. Findlay stated that he has consistently been against the idea of a coronation for himself or anyone else.

He emphasized, "The decision of choosing our next leader should rest with our members, not a select few in Holyrood."

Mr. Findlay, endorsed by ex-Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson, was considered by many as the likely successor to Mr. Ross.

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During the contest, MSP Mr. Kerr expressed regret for describing fellow Mr. Fraser's leadership bid as "terrible."

Through a sequence of mistakenly shared status updates on his WhatsApp profile, Mr. Kerr was found to have criticized Mr. Fraser's candidacy, despite having openly supported him.

"Starting to regret not choosing Meghan," Mr. Kerr noted, referring to Ms. Gallacher.

The heated race included ex-deputy leader Ms. Gallacher filing a formal grievance with the party regarding Berwickshire, Roxburgh, and Selkirk MP John Lamont.

After their conversation, it was reported that Ms. Gallacher expressed worries about potentially losing her candidacy before the 2026 Holyrood election.

Mr. Lamont, a supporter of Mr. Findlay's competition, vehemently refuted any allegations of misconduct and mentioned that he is "exploring additional steps, including potential legal recourse."

Mr. Findlay is set to announce his key team members at Holyrood the following week.

Before that event, he is scheduled to give a speech at the festivities on Saturday, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Scottish parliament.

This Sunday, he is scheduled to appear at the UK Conservative Party conference in Birmingham.

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