What's happened
The Scottish Conservative leadership contest is in turmoil as candidates respond to allegations of a plot involving outgoing leader Douglas Ross. Russell Findlay officially launched his campaign, emphasizing fairness and decency, while other candidates demand transparency before proceeding with the race. The contest is set against a backdrop of internal strife and calls for change.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Alistair Grant in The Scotsman, the leadership contest has descended into chaos, with four candidates demanding answers regarding the fairness of the race. They expressed concerns over Douglas Ross's alleged plot to step down and hand over leadership to Russell Findlay. Meanwhile, Andrew Bowie, also from The Scotsman, criticized the public infighting among candidates, suggesting that Scottish Tory MSPs should learn from their UK counterparts to avoid damaging the party's brand. In contrast, Murdo Fraser has positioned himself as a candidate for real change, stating that the party has let its members down, as reported in his own piece in The Scotsman. This highlights the conflicting narratives within the party as candidates navigate the fallout from recent controversies.
How we got here
The Scottish Conservatives are facing significant challenges following a poor performance in the recent general election. Douglas Ross announced his resignation amid controversy over his leadership decisions, prompting a leadership contest with six candidates vying for the position. Allegations of a plot to replace Ross have further complicated the race.
Common question
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What are the challenges facing Labour after their recent victory?
Following Labour's recent victory, the political landscape in the UK is shifting. With significant changes on the horizon, many are curious about the challenges Labour will face in maintaining its momentum and addressing key issues. Additionally, the Scottish Conservatives are undergoing a leadership contest that could reshape their strategy. Here are some common questions regarding these developments.
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What is happening in the Scottish Conservatives Leadership Contest?
The Scottish Conservatives are currently facing a significant leadership contest following the resignation of Douglas Ross. This situation has raised numerous questions about the future direction of the party, the candidates involved, and the implications for party unity and its relationship with the UK Tories. Below, we explore the key questions surrounding this unfolding political drama.
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What is happening in the Scottish Conservatives leadership contest?
The Scottish Conservatives are currently facing a leadership contest following the resignation of Douglas Ross. With six candidates vying for the position, the party is at a crossroads, grappling with internal challenges and calls for a significant change in strategy. This situation raises important questions about the future direction of the party and its unity.
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What is Happening with the Scottish Conservatives Leadership Contest?
The Scottish Conservatives are currently facing a leadership crisis following a significant electoral setback. With the resignation of Douglas Ross, the party is now in a leadership contest featuring several candidates. This situation raises questions about the future direction of the party and how it plans to regain voter trust ahead of the 2026 Holyrood elections.
More on these topics
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Douglas Gordon Ross is a Scottish politician serving as Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party since 2020. He has served as Member of Parliament for Moray since 2017 and was previously a Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Highlands and Islands r
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Murdo MacKenzie Fraser is a Scottish politician who served as Deputy Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party from 2005 to 2011. He has been a Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Mid Scotland and Fife region since 2001. Since May 2021, he has serve
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Jamie Gillan Greene is a Scottish politician who has been a Member of the Scottish Parliament for the West Scotland region since 2016. A member of the Scottish Conservatives, he has served as Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Justice since 2021.
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Liam Kerr is a Scottish Conservative Party politician who served as Deputy Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party from 2019 to 2020 and as the Scottish Conservatives’ Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Justice from 2017 to 2021.
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The Scottish Conservatives, officially the Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party, is Scotland's centre-right political party and the second-largest party in the Scottish Parliament and Scottish local government.
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Kathleen Robertson is a Canadian actress and writer. She is best known for her roles as Tina Edison in the Canadian sitcom Maniac Mansion and as Clare Arnold in the Fox teen drama series Beverly Hills, 90210.
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Andrew Campbell Bowie is a Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party politician. He has served as the Member of Parliament for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine since the 2017 general election, when he unseated the incumbent Scottish National Party MP Stua
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Russell Findlay is a Scottish politician and journalist who has served as a Member of the Scottish Parliament for the West Scotland region since 2021. A member of the Scottish Conservatives, he served as the party's director of communications.