Scottish Tories fire starting gun on leadership election race

The Scottish Conservatives have formally begun the process of electing a new leader.

Following a meeting of its management board that took place yesterday, the party is set to announce its new leader on 27 September.  

Ahead of the meeting Scottish Tory members were invited to make submissions on how the contest should be run during a two-week consultation process.  

Nominations for candidates to succeed Douglas Ross formally open on 8 August and will close on 22 August at midday.   

So far, Russell Findlay and Brian Whittle have confirmed their intention to enter the contest, while a further seven MSPs – Meghan Gallagher, Murdo Fraser, Graham Simpson, Jamie Greene, Stephen Kerr, Liam Kerr, and Maurice Golden – are understood to be interested in standing.   

Candidates require a minimum of 100 members to nominate them to stand.   

Husting events across Scotland for party members to attend are set to be organised and will include virtual national hustings.   

Ballot papers will be posted to members on 4 September and the ballot will close on 26 September, with the new leader announced the following day.   

The party will employ a preferential voting system, with members giving a ranking to all those that appear on the ballot.

In a series of rounds the bottom-ranked candidate will be eliminated, with their first-preference votes redistributed until one candidate has over 50 per cent of the vote.   

The party’s management board is comprised of eight people in addition to the director of the party, including Craig Hoy, the party’s chairman, the party leader, the national convener, honorary secretary, treasurer and three regional conveners.   

Ross took no part in yesterday’s meeting, while the director of the party and the honorary secretary are non-voting members of the board.  

Ross will remain leader until his successor is announced.   

Hoy said: “Following a two-week consultation with members and elected representatives, the management board met to agree the rules and timetable for the leadership election.  

“We look forward to an open contest where candidates will be able to outline their plans and policies at hustings to be held around Scotland in the coming weeks.  

“Once candidates have had the opportunity to set out their stalls, a full ballot of our members will determine the next leader of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party.” 

Findlay said: "I’m looking forward to a positive contest about our party’s future.