Three candidates confirmed for the Scottish Conservatives leadership

The Scottish Conservatives have confirmed the candidates for the party’s next leader.

Russell Findlay, Murdo Fraser and Meghan Gallacher all secured the required 100 nominations from members over the two-week nomination period and have accepted the nomination.

A series of hustings will now take place across the country – including an online hustings – for party members to attend starting on Saturday morning (24 August) in Renfrew.

Ballot papers will be posted to members on Wednesday 4 September, with the ballot closing at 12pm on Thursday 26 September. The winner will be announced on Friday 27 September.

The new leader will be chosen via a preferential voting system, with members ranking their chosen candidates in order of preference. The bottom ranked candidate will be eliminated in each round, with their first-preference votes redistributed until one candidate receives over 50 per cent of the votes cast. 

Scottish Conservative chairman Craig Hoy MSP said: “My congratulations go to the candidates who secured the backing of the required number of party members and who now proceed to the election.

“We now look forward to an open contest between the three candidates, giving them the opportunity to outline their vision and policies at hustings events to be held up and down Scotland over the coming weeks.

“Once hustings have concluded, a full ballot of members will decide the next Leader of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, who will be announced next month.”

HUSTINGS

Saturday 24 August – 10am – Renfrew

Sunday 25 August – 2pm – Perth

Tuesday 27 August – 7pm – Online

Saturday 31 August – 2pm – Inverness

Sunday 1 September – 2pm – Aberdeen

Wednesday 4 September – 6:30pm – Galashiels

Saturday 7 September – 10am – Dumfries

Sunday 8 September – 2pm – Edinburgh