Change. It’s a catch all phrase, a somewhat elusive term to define. Yet, politicians reference it endlessly. Speak to the Tory faithful assembled at the Glasgow Science Centre on Monday and one might have gathered a similar sentiment. 

Former journalist and MSP Russell Findlay was the main attraction, officially launching his campaign for leader of the beleaguered Scottish Tories. Introduced by Borders MSP Rachel Hamilton, Findlay was lauded as a man popular among his colleagues and indeed, the assembled media. As Hamilton noted: “He [is] genuine; a really normal, decent person.”

Findlay has a compelling backstory. He was an investigative reporter who worked to expose criminal gang activity in Glasgow for years. In retaliation, he was attacked with acid on his front step in 2015. 

He certainly comes across as well-spoken and knowledgeable. 

Yet, he has a Douglas Ross problem.

According to the Telegraph, Ross floated the idea of stepping aside from the leadership back in July 2023, where he allegedly asked a Conservative councillor running for Westminster to stand aside for him. His suggested replacement for leader was… Russell Findlay. 

Since then, four of the six leadership candidates have signed a letter expressing concern over Ross’ actions, demanding “serious questions” be answered, while a fifth, MSP Meghan Gallacher, has resigned as Deputy Leader. 

Over the weekend, Findlay had been notably absent from the fray. However, speaking to the audience at the Science Centre, he remarked: “I accept that the events of the last week have portrayed our party in a poor light. Legitimate questions need to be answered.”

Read more:

'We are better together:' Findlay vows to unite Scottish Tories

Can Findlay credibly claim to be an agent of change if he has the backing of the party establishment and, at least at one point, the party’s former leader? 

On Monday, with the spectre of Ross looming large, Findlay clearly took steps to distance himself from the former leader.

“Times change and we must change with them,’ he told the packed room of supporters.

There it is. That word again. 

Noting that the party had “lost the Ruth Davidson mojo,” Findlay seemed to pine for a return to the days of the Baroness of Lundin Links, who led the Scottish Tories between 2011 and 2019. 

“We stopped making the case for what we believed in,” Findlay noted. “Under my leadership, the Tories will again speak for mainstream Scotland.”

Put these statements together, and the core of Findlay’s argument is revealed: “ordinary, decent, mainstream” Scots want to vote Conservative, but have been unable to support the party due to deficient leadership over the last five years. In his remarks on Monday, Findlay struck an optimistic stance, even suggesting that malcontent SNP voters could switch to the Tories. 

Indeed, Findlay’s biggest hope is that an electorate scunnered by seventeen years of SNP rule will fall under the Conservative banner. He has proposed a number of policies to entice disaffected voters; including the scrapping of the SNP’s flagship educational curriculum, the abolition of rent controls, and the reduction of personal tax rates. 

However, as the most recent general election told us, there’s much more evidence to suggest that malcontented SNP voters will switch to Labour or the Greens. Let’s look at the data. The Conservative share of the vote in 2024 dipped to 12.7%; down from 25.1% in 2019, and 28.6% in 2017. 

If things don’t change (there’s that word again) at Holyrood, where the Tories remain the official opposition with 31 seats, a similar situation could be replicated in 2026. There doesn’t appear to be much room for growth. 

Findlay is likely to be crowned as Scottish Tory leader. He seems to have the backing of many in the party. Yet, unless he pulls a rabbit out of his hat, it's unlikely the Tories will be able to reverse the slide seen at the most recent election. 

They remain a deeply divisive party with unpopular policies, especially in Scotland. Findlay is unlikely to change that, at least for now.