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2024 Scottish Conservatives leadership election

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2024 Scottish Conservative Party leadership election
← August 2020 8 August – 27 September 2024 (2024-08-08 – 2024-09-27)
Incumbent leader

Douglas Ross


The 2024 Scottish Conservatives leadership election will take place in 2024 after Douglas Ross announced his resignation on 10 June.

Background

Douglas Ross announced his resignation on 10 June 2024

The MSP Douglas Ross was elected leader of the Scottish Conservatives unopposed in August 2020 after his predecessor Jackson Carlaw resigned. In the 2021 Scottish Parliament election the Conservatives remained the second largest party with the same number of MSPs as at the previous election. Ross was elected as an MSP, having already been an MP. He kept both jobs, donating his MSP salary to charity.[1]

The Conservative prime minister Rishi Sunak called the 2024 United Kingdom general election to be held on 4 July. Ross initially said that he would stand down as an MP. David Duguid, a former minister who was recovering from spinal surgery, had been expected to run for re-election as the Conservative candidate for Aberdeenshire North and Moray East. On 5 June, he was deselected by the party "on health grounds".[2] The next day, Ross was announced as the candidate.[1] He initially said he would continue as MP, MSP and party leader.[3] Ross said that the Scottish Conservatives management board had made the decision to replace him.[4] The chair of the Scottish Conservatives said that Ross, who sits on the board, had not been part of discussions about Duguid.[5] Duguid said he had wanted to stand, that no members of the board had visited him in hospital, and that the board was not accurately describing his condition.[5]

Ross was separately criticised for expense claims he had made for flights and parking allegedly part of his additional job as a football assistant referee.[6]

On 10 June, Ross announced that he would resign as leader on the day of the general election. He also said that if he became an MP he would resign as an MSP.[7] He later said that he decided to resign so that the leader of the Conservatives would be an MSP.[8] On 4 July, Ross failed to win election to Aberdeenshire North and Moray East, losing to the SNP candidate Seamus Logan.[9]

Campaign

In the 2011 Scottish Conservatives leadership election, Murdo Fraser proposed splitting the Scottish Conservatives off from the UK-wide party. Fraser lost the election, but several MSPs including Jamie Greene, Liam Kerr and Liz Smith said that they were open to the idea in 2024.[10][11] Russell Findlay and his supporter Miles Briggs strongly opposed the idea of a split or separate brand.[12]

MSPs also disagreed about the party's policy positions. Three MSPs, Jackson Carlaw, Greene and Sandesh Gulhane, supported the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill along with the majority of MSPs from each other party, while the others voted against. Stephen Kerr said the Scottish Conservatives should stop supporting free tuition and free prescriptions and move to the political right.[13]

Russell Findlay, a former journalist who was first elected as an MSP for West Scotland in 2021, was initially considered the frontrunner. Some MSPs thought that Findlay's supporters were responsible for negative news coverage of Greene and Meghan Gallacher, considered to be potential rival leadership candidates, which Findlay denied.[10][14] Findlay announced his candidacy on 22 July 2024.[15] Findlay had supported Liz Truss's campaign to become the UK-wide leader of the Conservative Party.[16] Findlay said that the party should focus on the party's values of "enterprise, self-reliance, fiscal responsibility and the rule of law" over opposing the Scottish government.[17] He said the party had focused too much on opposing Scottish independence and criticised Holyrood's "stifling left-wing consensus".[18] He was seen as being supported by the "party establishment" and close to Ross.[19]

Murdo Fraser announced his canidacy on 7 August. He was first elected as an MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife in 2001 and served as the deputy leader of the Scottish Conservatives from 2005 to 2011. He lost the 2011 Scottish Conservatives leadership election to Ruth Davidson. Fraser said that the UK-wide Conservative Party could stand candidates in Westminster elections but a new sister party could stand in Holyrood elections, citing the party system in Canada, with a commission established that would report after the next Scottish Parliament election.[20][12] He said recent UK Conservative leaders and Ross had "let down" members.[21] Fraser said the party should try to "reclaim the centre-ground".[22]

Meghan Gallagher, the party's deputy leader and an MSP for Central Scotland since 2021, announced her candidacy on 2 August.[23] She said she would focus on "the right to buy a house, support for parents and pensioners" and lower taxes.[24] She has criticised "the influence of gender ideology on Scottish institutions" and attacked the charity LGBT Youth Scotland, including by sharing an article accusing it of brainwashing children.[25][26]

Jamie Greene announced his candidacy on 6 August.[27] He was first elected as an MSP for West Scotland in 2016. He served as shadow justice secretary until 2023, when he was replaced by Russell Findlay, a decision he credited to his support for the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill.[28][29] He said he supported an independent commission on party structures to report after the 2026 Scottish Parliament election.[30] He also advocated an "overhaul of [the Scottish Parliament's] processes and scrutiny".[31] Greene opposed a "reactionary lurch to the right".[32] He said he would seek to attract younger voters.[33]

Liam Kerr, the shadow education secretary, announced he was standing on 5 August. He said the party needed a "genuinely conservative programme".[34]

Brian Whittle announced his candidacy on 29 July. Whittle is a former athlete who became an MSP for South Scotland in 2016.[35] He said he would focus on "education, enterprise and empowering people".[35] He siad that the party should consider means testing Scotland's free prescriptions and university tuition.[36]

Procedure

Candidates need to be nominated by at least 100 party members to stand for election. The election will take place under instant-runoff voting.[20]

Timetable

  • 8 August: nominations open
  • 22 August: nominations close
  • 4 September: start of voting
  • 26 September: end of voting
  • 27 September: winner announced

Candidates

Declared

Candidate Political office Campaign Ref.

Russell Findlay 		Shadow justice secretary (2023–present)
MSP for West Scotland (2021–present) 		Leadership for Change[18] [15]

Murdo Fraser 		Shadow Business, Economic Growth and Tourism Secretary (2023-present)
MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife (2001–present) 		[37]

Meghan Gallacher 		Deputy leader of the Scottish Conservatives (2022–present)
MSP for Central Scotland (2021–present) 		[38]

Jamie Greene 		MSP for West Scotland (2016–present) [39]

Liam Kerr 		Shadow Education Secretary (2023-present)
Deputy leader of the Scottish Conservatives (September 2019–August 2020)
MSP for North East Scotland (2016–present)

[40]


Brian Whittle 		Shadow environment secretary (2021–present)
MSP for South Scotland (2016–present) 		[41]

Declined

The following Conservative politicians were speculated about as potential candidates but have ruled out standing for election:

Endorsements

Russell Findlay

MSPs

MPs

Murdo Fraser

Meghan Gallacher

Liam Kerr

References

  1. ^ a b "Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross to stand in election". BBC News. 6 June 2024. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  2. ^ "Former minister David Duguid not selected to stand in election". BBC News. 5 June 2024. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  3. ^ "Douglas Ross defends plan to remain MP and MSP after shock election announcement". Northern Scot. 6 June 2024. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  4. ^ "Douglas Ross blames Scottish Tory board he sits on for blocking David Duguid". The National. 6 June 2024. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Tories insist Ross played no part in dropping candidate Duguid". BBC News. 8 June 2024. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  6. ^ Johnson, Simon (9 June 2024). "Douglas Ross hits back at claims of 'dodgy' travel expenses for football job". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  7. ^ Brooks, Libby; correspondent, Libby Brooks Scotland (10 June 2024). "Douglas Ross to resign as Scottish Tory leader after election". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 10 June 2024. {{cite news}}: |last2= has generic name (help)
  8. ^ "Douglas Ross questioned over reasoning for leadership resignation". Holyrood Website. 11 June 2024. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  9. ^ Meighan, Craig (5 July 2024). "Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross loses seat to SNP". STV News. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  10. ^ a b c d e Meighan, Craig (18 July 2024). "Tory MSPs line up to back former crime journalist as party leader". STV News. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  11. ^ "Liam Kerr calls for Scottish Conservatives to debate split from UK party". Holyrood Website. 19 July 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  12. ^ a b "MSN". www.msn.com. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  13. ^ "Scottish Tory 'cabal leaking negative stories about leadership hopefuls', MSPs allege". The National. 17 July 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  14. ^ Johnson, Simon (16 July 2024). "Supporters of Scottish Tory leadership frontrunner accused of smearing potential opponents". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  15. ^ a b Quinn, Andrew (22 July 2024). "Scottish Tory leadership frontrunner Russell Findlay declares candidacy". Daily Record. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  16. ^ Hutcheon, Paul; Quinn, Andrew (20 July 2024). "Scottish Tory leadership frontrunner Russell Findlay backed Liz Truss to be PM". Daily Record. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  17. ^ "Scottish Conservative leadership contest: Who will replace Douglas Ross?". Holyrood Website. 11 July 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  18. ^ a b Johnson, Simon (22 July 2024). "Scottish Tories should stop battling independence, says first candidate in party leadership contest". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  19. ^ a b Johnson, Simon (23 July 2024). "Scottish Tory leadership race 'could become political Wild West'". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  20. ^ a b "Scottish Tories unveil leadership race timetable and rules". The Herald. 1 August 2024. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  21. ^ "MSN". www.msn.com. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  22. ^ Bol, David (24 July 2024). "Senior Scottish Tory brands Douglas Ross decision 'woefully ill-advised' and delivers Reform 'error' message".
  23. ^ Media, P. A. (2 August 2024). "Deputy leader Meghan Gallacher confirms Scots Tory leadership bid". STV News. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  24. ^ "Meghan Gallacher joins Scottish Conservative leadership contest". BBC News. 2 August 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  25. ^ Johnson, Simon; Sanderson, Daniel (10 June 2024). "Who will be the next Scottish Conservative leader?". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  26. ^ "Who is in the running to replace Douglas Ross as leader of the Scottish Tories?". The National. 10 June 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  27. ^ "Jamie Greene launches Scottish Tory leadership bid". BBC News. 6 August 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  28. ^ "MSN". www.msn.com. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  29. ^ "Liam Kerr and Jamie Greene join race to be Scottish Tory leader". Holyrood Website. 6 August 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  30. ^ "MSN". www.msn.com. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  31. ^ "MSN". www.msn.com. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  32. ^ Elliards, Xander (9 July 2024). "Scottish Tory leadership race begins as MSP argues for lurch to right".
  33. ^ "Jamie Greene joins Scottish Tory leadership race in battle of continuity vs change". The Herald. 5 August 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  34. ^ "Liam Kerr and Jamie Greene join race to be Scottish Tory leader". Holyrood Website. 6 August 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  35. ^ a b "Brian Whittle joins race to become Scottish Conservative leader". BBC News. 29 July 2024. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  36. ^ Sanderson, Daniel (1 August 2024). "Scots ready to talk about axing SNP freebies, says Tory leadership contender". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  37. ^ "Murdo Fraser announces Scottish Tory leadership bid". BBC News. 7 August 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  38. ^ "Meghan Gallacher joins Scottish Conservative leadership contest". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  39. ^ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg33my081po
  40. ^ "Liam Kerr enters race for Scottish Tory leadership". BBC News. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  41. ^ Amery, Rachel (29 July 2024). "Exclusive: Brian Whittle MSP reveals why he is standing against Russell Findlay to lead Scottish Conservatives". The Scotsman.
  42. ^ a b Hutcheon, Paul; Quinn, Andrew (10 June 2024). "Five MSPs who could replace Douglas Ross as Scottish Tory leader". Daily Record. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  43. ^ Johnson, Simon; Sanderson, Daniel (10 June 2024). "Who will be the next Scottish Conservative leader?". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  44. ^ "Who might replace Douglas Ross as Scottish Conservative leader?".
  45. ^ "Liam Kerr calls for Scottish Conservatives to debate split from UK party". Holyrood Website. 19 July 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  46. ^ Steerpike (2 August 2024). "Scottish Tory leadership race ramps up". The Spectator. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  47. ^ a b c "MSN". www.msn.com. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  48. ^ a b c Bowie, Justin (7 August 2024). "Perthshire Tory Murdo Fraser launches party leader bid with brutal swipe at Douglas Ross". The Courier. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  49. ^ Steerpike (7 August 2024). "Scottish Tory leadership race: runners and riders". The Spectator. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
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