Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser has announced his bid for the leadership of the Conservative party, claiming members have been “let down” by bosses north and south of the border.
Mr Fraser becomes the sixth person to announce plans to run, ahead of nominations opening tomorrow (August 8).
Russell Findlay, deputy leader Meghan Gallacher, Brian Whittle, Liam Kerr and Jamie Greene have all also thrown their hats into the ring to replace Douglas Ross.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Fraser said the party needs “real change”, but insists he will not seek to split the Scottish Conservatives from their UK-wide counterparts as he did in a previous leadership run in 2011.
“This party, our party, has let us all down,” he said in a video posted to social media.
“You, its members, were let down by Boris Johnson over Partygate, you were let down by Liz Truss’s mini-budget, you were let down by Rishi Sunak at D-Day.
“And yes, I’m sorry to say, you were let down by Douglas Ross and his team.
“So now, our party must change, and change cannot be continuity in a fancy wrapper – our party needs a leader who will reach every corner of it, change it and hold it together all at the same time.”
With encouragement from Parliamentary colleagues, Party activists, & senior figures in the business community, I’m announcing my candidacy today for @ScotTories leadership. This Party - and Scotland - need real change, and with your help I will deliver it (1/4) pic.twitter.com/Ilfl2CgQbY
— Murdo Fraser (@murdo_fraser) August 7, 2024
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