About our Scottish Conservative Party news
Latest news on Scottish Conservative Party, providing comprehensive coverage of Tory policies, leadership changes, election results, and key figures in Scotland's centre-right political landscape.
The Scottish Conservative Party, also known as the Scottish Tories, is a major political force in Scotland and part of the wider UK Conservative Party. Led by Douglas Ross since August 2020, the party currently holds 31 seats in the Scottish Parliament and 5 seats in the UK Parliament, making it the second-largest party in Scotland.
Recent developments include the party's performance in the 2024 UK general election, where they secured 5 seats but saw their vote share decline to 12.7%. This result led to Douglas Ross announcing his intention to resign as leader, triggering a leadership contest. The race to succeed Ross has become contentious, with candidates Murdo Fraser, Russell Findlay, and Meghan Gallacher vying for the top position. Fraser has called for his rivals to drop out, suggesting a coronation would be in the party's best interests.
The Scottish Conservatives have been grappling with their stance on key issues such as Scottish independence, Brexit, and devolution. The party remains staunchly pro-Union, opposing calls for a second independence referendum. They have also been working to differentiate themselves from the UK Conservative Party on certain policy areas to appeal to Scottish voters.
Historically, the Scottish Conservatives were the dominant force in Scottish politics for much of the 20th century, operating as the Unionist Party until 1965. However, their fortunes declined sharply in the 1980s and 1990s, leading to a period of minimal representation. The party has since worked to rebuild its support base, particularly under the leadership of Ruth Davidson from 2011 to 2019.
As the leadership contest unfolds and the party prepares for future elections, including the next Scottish Parliament election, our NewsNow feed provides comprehensive coverage of the Scottish Conservative Party. Stay informed about policy announcements, internal party dynamics, and the ongoing debate about Scotland's constitutional future through our regularly updated feed from reliable sources.