Russell Findlay to say ‘decency missing from Scottish politics’

The MSP is in the race to become the next Scottish Tory leader.

Russell Findlay MSP will launch his leadership campaign on Monday (Fraser Bremner/Scottish Daily Mail/PA) (PA Archive)

Scottish Conservative leadership candidate Russell Findlay will say that “decency has gone missing from Scottish politics” as he launches his campaign.

Mr Findlay is one of six MSPs in the race to replace Douglas Ross as leader after Mr Ross announced during the General Election that he would step down after controversy over his decision to stand in the Westminster election.

Launching his leadership campaign in Glasgow on Monday, Mr Findlay is expected to say he will put forward a “positive Conservative vision” and that the party must speak up for “decent, mainstream Scotland”.

Our party’s mission must be to speak up for decent, mainstream Scotland

Russell Findlay, Scottish Conservative leadership candidate

Mr Findlay, the Scottish Tory justice spokesman, was the first person to enter the leadership race, with Murdo Fraser, Brian Whittle, Liam Kerr, Jamie Greene and Meghan Gallacher later announcing they would run.

On Monday Mr Findlay is expected to say: “Decency has gone missing from Scottish politics.

“The hopes and concerns of decent people barely get a look-in at Holyrood. There’s a lack of decency in disagreement too.

“That all must change.

“My whole life I’ve been guided by my conservative values and convictions of fairness and decency.

“I’m putting forward a positive Conservative vision, rooted in those values, which champions common sense, aspiration and opportunity.

“Our party’s mission must be to speak up for decent, mainstream Scotland.

“You know the Scotland I mean because you live in it too. It’s the world outside the political bubble. The world that exists beyond Holyrood with its fringe obsessions and right-on causes.”

Mr Findlay will say he has views on the “bold changes” needed in Scotland and the “determination to do what I believe is right for our party and our country”.

He is expected to say: “I won’t bring back decency to Scottish politics on my own. I’ve got the life experience to know that.

“But, as leader, I would make sure that’s what the Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party stands for.”

Mr Findlay, a former journalist, was elected to Holyrood in 2021.

Mr Ross previously ruled out standing at Westminster to focus on his Holyrood priorities as leader and Highlands and Islands MSP.

But he U-turned during the 2024 election, announcing he would seek election in the Aberdeenshire North and Moray East seat, facing further criticism after former MP David Duguid said he was “deselected” the night before the announcement due to ill health.

Mr Ross then announced he would step aside as party leader, and lost the seat to the SNP on July 4.

The leadership contest was thrown into turmoil on Friday when Ms Gallacher resigned as the deputy leader of the Scottish Conservatives amid concerns the contest could be at risk following reports about the alleged conduct of Mr Ross in relation to the General Election.

The Telegraph newspaper reported that Mr Ross had asked the Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey candidate Kathleen Robertson if he could replace her in July 2023 – a claim he has denied.

The newspaper also reported Mr Ross told her he would prefer leadership candidate Mr Findlay to replace him.

Mr Fraser, Mr Whittle, Mr Kerr and Mr Greene have jointly written to the party to demand “serious questions” be answered over the allegations.

On the Telegraph claim that Mr Ross told Ms Robertson he wanted Mr Findlay to replace him as Holyrood leader, he told the newspaper: “Throughout the leadership election I have said absolutely nothing about the candidates or the contest, other than I will remain as leader until my successor is appointed.

“My decision to remain neutral throughout the contest will not change.”

In a statement on Friday, Mr Findlay said: “I had no knowledge of any conversations that have been reported.”

A Scottish Conservative spokesperson said: “This relates to a personal and private conversation between Douglas Ross and Kathleen Robertson and is not a matter for the party.”

Nominations for the leadership post close at noon on August 22 and the leader will be announced on September 27.

Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie said: “The Tories have taken a wrecking ball to decency and integrity in politics in Scotland and across the UK.

“This chaotic and divided Tory party cannot deliver for Scotland or offer a real alternative to the SNP – but Labour can deliver the change Scotland needs.”