Scottish Tory Leadership Race Heats Up with Three Candidates

The Scottish Conservative Party is set for a competitive leadership race as three Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) - Russell Findlay, Murdo Fraser, and Meghan Gallacher - vie for the position following the departure of Douglas Ross. The candidates will now face a ballot among party members, with a winner expected to be announced on September 27, ahead of the UK Conservative Party's leadership announcement on November 2. In a significant shift, candidates including Mr. Whittle, Mr. Kerr, and Mr. Greene have withdrawn from the race, endorsing Murdo Fraser. The upcoming weeks will feature a series of hustings across Scotland, allowing candidates to present their visions and engage with party members. Fraser, who previously attempted to lead the Scottish Tories in 2011, emphasized the urgency for change within the party, citing a recent general election that resulted in the lowest vote share in its history. Russell Findlay, the current justice spokesperson and MSP for West Scotland since 2021, is also in the running, advocating for a revitalization of the party's direction. Meanwhile, Meghan Gallacher, a former North Lanarkshire councillor and MSP for Central Scotland, views the leadership contest as a chance for a "reset" within the party. As the race unfolds, the candidates will need to address the challenges facing the Scottish Conservatives and outline their strategies for recovery and growth.