Russell Findlay Elected Leader of Scottish Conservatives

Russell Findlay has been elected as the new leader of the Scottish Conservatives, securing 61.7% of the vote in a leadership contest marked by significant internal conflict. Findlay, a former crime reporter and victim of an acid attack, aims to reconnect with disillusioned Scots who feel unrepresented by politicians, emphasizing that he is 'not a career politician'. His leadership comes at a challenging time, as the party recently lost nearly half its vote share in the general election, leading to concerns about its future in the 2026 Holyrood elections. The party's previous leader, Douglas Ross, resigned amid controversy, exacerbating divisions that Findlay must now address. He has received backing from key figures, including former leader Ruth Davidson, but faces formidable competition from parties like the SNP and Nigel Farage's Reform UK. Findlay’s immediate tasks include unifying the party and crafting a viable strategy to regain voter trust in the upcoming elections.