Leadership Tensions Emerge in Political Campaign

In a recent podcast interview, Ms. Gallacher expressed her views on the ongoing leadership campaign, following accusations of a ‘stitch-up’ involving Mr. Fraser, whose campaign gained momentum after three candidates withdrew to support him. While she acknowledged the potential for three candidates to remain in the race, Gallacher emphasized her respect for both Mr. Findlay and Mr. Fraser, indicating her willingness to serve under either should they win. Gallacher criticized the leadership style of Douglas Ross, highlighting her exclusion from key decision-making processes during her tenure as deputy leader. She reflected on her experience, stating, “I wasn’t always in the room when decisions were taken,” and called for a significant overhaul of the party’s structure, advocating for a shift away from a “small tent” approach to inclusivity. In her interview, Gallacher outlined her vision for the party, proposing a 1p cut to income tax alongside necessary reforms to council tax. She acknowledged the potential risks of her council tax revaluation plan, which could lead to increased taxes for families in improved homes since the last valuation in 1991. She stressed the importance of reassessing council tax, noting that the last evaluation occurred over three decades ago, and called for a comprehensive review to reflect current property values and housing developments.