Scottish Conservative Party leadership election, 2011
Encyclopedia
The 2011 Scottish Conservative Party leadership election was an internal party election to elect a new leader of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
, the third largest political party in the devolved Scottish Parliament
. Ruth Davidson
was declared the winner of the contest on November 4, 2011, succeeding former leader Annabel Goldie
. The election was triggered when incumbent party leader Annabel Goldie announced her resignation on 9 May 2011, following her party's self-described 'disappointing' result in the 2011 Scottish Parliament Election, in which the Conservatives were reduced from 17 seats to 15.
However, a commission headed by Lord Sanderson
in 2010 had outlined the need for a leadership election directly after the 2011 elections and had been highly critical of the party's current leadership and conduct. Four candidates stood in the contest, all of whom were MSPs
: Ruth Davidson
, Murdo Fraser
, Jackson Carlaw
and Margaret Mitchell
. The contest sparked intense debate within the party, with Murdo Fraser standing on a platform of disbanding the Scottish Conservatives in favour of establishing a wholly new, centre-right Scottish party, which would be autonomous but allied to the Conservative Party
in England and Wales. This idea was rejected by his three opponents, however had support from over half of the MSP group. After a ballot using the Single transferable vote
method to the party's 8,500 Scottish members, Ruth Davidson defeated Fraser by a margin of 566 votes.
's Conservatives were the largest party and subsequently formed government through a coalition with the Liberal Democrats
. In Scotland however, not a single seat was gained by the party, and David Mundell
remained the party's only Scottish MP. A committee was then established to analyse the situation, headed by Lord Sanderson
, with Lord Forsyth
also contributing.
The Sanderson Commission outlined the following recommendations:
The commission also stated the need for a leadership election to be held after the Scottish parliamentary election, as no leadership election has thus far been held by the Scottish Conservatives. Both David McLetchie
and Annabel Goldie
were selected as leader without any ballot taking place.
In the election, the Scottish National Party
under Alex Salmond
won an un-precedented majority of seats, winning 69 of the 129 seats available. The Conservative result was self-described as 'dissapointing', as the party was reduced from 17 seats, to 15, losing three of their six notionally held constituency seats, which included former party leader David McLetchie
in Edinburgh Pentlands
and Jackson Carlaw
in Eastwood
(however both were returned to parliament on the regional ballot). Whilst the Conservatives could take comfort in the knowledge that their losses were slight in comparison to the losses suffered by the Labour Party
and the Liberal Democrats
, Annabel Goldie announced her resignation as party leader a mere four days after the election.
Jackson Carlaw
Age - 52
Profile - MSP for the West Scotland
region since 2007 and current party spokesman on energy, transport and climate change. He has held other posts in the past including deputy chairman of the Scottish Conservatives, chairman of the Scottish Young Conservatives and as a Member of the Board of the UK-wide party
. He has three times unsuccessfully contested the Scottish Parliament constituency of Eastwood
, the third occasion whilst holding a notional majority of over 3,500 votes. He was the first contender to declare their candidacy, on August 10, 2011, and launched his campaign on September 2.
Policies - Was described as being on the right
of the party, and was against the transferring of further powers to Holyrood. On September 2, he declared that he wishes for the referendum on Scottish independence to take place before any discussion is undertaken over further devolution. He also declared himself the 'unity' option for party members.
Supporters - Mary Scanlon
MSP, Paul McBride
QC, Former MPs: Allan Stewart
, Michael Hirst and Raymond Robertson
.
Murdo Fraser
Age - 46
Profile - MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife
since 2001, party spokesman on Health and the Deputy leader of party (2005-11). A former Chairman of the Scottish Young Conservatives
(1989–92), he has unsuccessfully contested the seat of Tayside North five times at Scottish and Westminster elections. He is a member of the Conservative Christian Fellowship
, the Scotland Malawi Partnership
and is the Parliamentary Advisor to the Autism Treatment Trust. Declared his candidacy on August 26.
Policies - Considered on the right
of the party, Fraser supports far greater tax and spending powers for the Scottish Parliament in the form of further financial devolution. On September 1, Fraser outlined his vision for 'New Unionism', with the intention of 'killing independence
' and then to 'break the SNP'. He states that he rejects full fiscal autonomy
for Scotland, calling it 'independence in disguise', but pledged his support for financial devolution, which he claims will make Parliament more accountable for the money it spends. On September 4, Fraser made a high-profile announcement, that if elected leader, he would disband the party in favour of setting up a new centre-right party that would be fully autonomous of the UK Conservative Party, but would take the Conservative whip at Westminster. Fraser states that this would be carried out in order to 'de-toxify' the party in Scotland, stating that it would have a distinct Scottish identity, represent Scottish values, support devolution and decentralisation, and fight to maintain Scotland's place within the United Kingdom. He also would rename the party - ditching the name 'Conservative' – with possible new names cited as Scottish Reform Party, Scottish Unionists, The Scottish Progressives, the Progressive Conservatives, Scotland First, Scotland Forward, Caledonian Party or The Caledonians. The name 'Unionist' was downplayed, so as to avoid its connotations to Northern Ireland sectarianism, and a smaller Scottish Unionist Party also exists, rendering a change to this name impossible under electoral law.
This plan would see a return to the situation of conservatism in Scotland between 1912 and 1965, when the Scottish Unionist Party was completely autonomous of the Conservative Party in England and Wales, but took the Conservative whip at Westminster, and even contributed two UK Prime Ministers: Bonar Law and Alec Douglas-Home
. Fraser notes that it was during this time where the Unionists, as they were then called, achieved their best result in Scotland; in 1955
, they won more seats than Labour, and took over 50% of the vote, a feat that no political party has achieved in a Scottish election since. However following the events of 1965, when the Unionist Party was merged into the UK-wide Conservative Party, the party began a downward spiral which culminated in the loss of all Scottish Conservative seats in 1997
. Fraser also cites examples of this situation existing successfully in other countries, for instance the centre-right Christian Social Union of Bavaria
takes the whip of the German Christian Democratic Union
in the German parliament, but exists as a fully autonomous party. A similiar system also exists in Canada
, whereby the Conservative Party
governs in alliance with autonomous Conservative parties from the provinces of Alberta
, British Columbia
, New Brunswick
, Newfoundland and Labrador
, Saskatchewan
and the Yukon
territory.
On October 11, Fraser outlined ten pledges to fulfill should he win the contest. They are shown below.
Fraser declared his opposition to the centralisation of Scottish police forces, on October 25, saying 'Such a centralisation of power is incompatible with a belief in localism that is common across western European centre-right parties'.
Supporters - MSPs: David McLetchie
, Gavin Brown
, Alex Johnstone
, Alex Fergusson, Liz Smith
, Nanette Milne
, Jamie McGrigor
, Struan Stevenson
MEP, Former Scottish Secretary Malcolm Rifkind
MP, Former MP and Shadow Scottish Secretary Peter Duncan, Leaders of Conservative groups on Aberdeenshire
, Angus
, Dumfries and Galloway
,Edinburgh
, Fife
, Perth and Kinross
and Stirling
councils, Former MEPs: John Purvis
, John Corrie
and James Provan
.
Campaign Manager - Liz Smith
MSP
Ruth Davidson
Age - 32
Profile - MSP for the Glasgow
region since 2011 and party spokeswoman on culture. Formerly contested the Westminster seat of Glasgow East
at a by-election in 2009
and at the 2010 General Election. Davidson declared her candidacy on September 4, the same day that Murdo Fraser made his pitch to disband the Scottish Conservatives and start up a new party.
Policies - Was described as being more politically moderate than her main opponents and she opposed the notion of the Scottish Conservatives separating from the UK-wide party and re-naming itself.
Supporters - Scotland Office Minister David Mundell
MP, MSPs: John Lamont
and John Scott
, Former MP Sir Albert McQuarrie
, Marquess of Lothian Michael Ancram
, Lord Sanderson
, Lord Forsyth
, Lord Strathclyde
Campaign Manager - John Lamont
MSP
Margaret Mitchell
Age - 58
Profile - A former Justice of the Peace, Mitchell has represented the Central Scotland
region in the Scottish Parliament since 2003. She declared in July that she would support Lord Forsyth
, however Forsyth declared his backing for another candidate in September. On the day of nominations closing on September 23, Mitchell declared that she would stand in the contest, having got the 100 nominations neccesary.
Policies - She opposed the Scotland Bill 2011
, calling its proposal to vary tax by 10p as 'crazy', and is opposed to the notion of the Scottish Conservatives disbanding into a new centre-right party.
Supporters - None declared.
calling the plan 'ludicrous', however his predeseccor under Margaret Thatcher, Sir Malcolm Rifkind
called it 'refreshing' and stated that it should be given serious consideration. The Education Secretary Michael Gove
, who was born and raised in Scotland, but represents an English constituency welcomed the idea, calling it a sign of genuine 'revival, political and intellectually' of the centre-right in Scotland, whereas former Defence Secretary Liam Fox
, also a Scot representing an English constituency, stated that he opposed the idea. No word was received on the Prime Minister David Cameron
's viewpoint, however his close ally Francis Maude
pledged support for the idea.
Scotland Office minister David Mundell
, the only Scottish Conservative MP, initially said that it would 'take a very great deal of convincing' to make him support the idea, however later came out in stark opposition to the plan, calling it 'betrayal' and stated that he would still run as a Conservative at the next general election whether or not Fraser was successful. Several other senior Conservative figures, including Norman Tebbit
and Daniel Hannan
supported Fraser's plan, and Daily Mail journalist Peter Hitchens
went so far as to say this idea should be adopted by the whole UK Conservative Party in order to re-claim support.
Fraser was backed by over half the MSP group, though all three of the other leadership contenders oppose the idea. Rival candidate Jackson Carlaw called the idea a 'distraction', and said it would only 'divide and not unite the party'.
On 11 September 2011, Davidson sacked her election agent and parliamentary assistant Ross McFarlane after a newspaper unearthed camera footage of McFarlane drunkenly trying to burn a European Union flag while making anti-Catholic sectarian remarks in a Glasgow street in November 2010.
s took place during the campaign, in which the four contestants debated one another.
congratulated Davidson on her win, saying that he looks 'forward to working with her to strengthen the Union and build a better future for Scotland'. Outgoing Scottish Conservative leader Annabel Goldie
also offered congratulations, pledging 'not be a back seat driver' and was 'confident that she is more than equal to taking on Alex Salmond
'. Murdo Fraser
conceded defeat, saying he was 'disappointed that I was not able to persuade more of our members that my vision for the future is the correct one', but pledged to support Davidson as leader.
First Minister and SNP leader Alex Salmond
congratulated Davidson, but emphasised 'the scale of the task for Ruth Davidson in motivating her party'. Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray
said that following in Annabel Goldie's footsteps would be a 'big task' for Davidson, and the Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie
said that he 'looks forward to working with her, in her new role, as we strive to hold the SNP government to account'.
The day after the result, leading Scottish Conservative supporter Paul McBride
QC resigned from the party, citing that he 'frequently found himself at odds with the party in recent months', particularly with their policy on anti-sectarianism legislation and said of new party leader Ruth Davidson, that 'they have a leader who has no policies and little experience apart from having been on television about as many times as I have' and that (the Scottish Conservatives) 'replaced one nice woman with one not so very nice woman'.
In an interview with the BBC, leading party donor John McGlynn, who had supported Murdo Fraser, was critical of Ruth Davidson, saying that 'there isn't a new team of people behind (her)'. He called her her appointment of David Mundell
MP as interim party chairman 'not new' and went on to say 'I would've thought there'd been more planning in a leadership campaign'. McGlynn said that the view amongst other party donors is 'mixed', and that he believed Davidson was elected though 'interference'.
In Davidson's new shadow cabinet, Murdo Fraser
refused a post, but has been tipped to eventually lead the Scottish Conservative campaign to secure a 'No' vote in the forthcoming referendum.
.
Beyond this, there is also the 2015 UK general election
, the 2016 Scottish Parliament election
, and the unscheduled referendum on whether or not Scotland should leave the UK, in which the Conservatives will be involved in the campaign to stay in the UK.
announces her resignation as Scottish Conservative leader.
5 Aug - John Lamont
, after much speculation, announces that he will not stand in the leadership contest.
10 Aug - Jackson Carlaw
declares he will stand in the contest.
26 Aug - Murdo Fraser
declares he will stand in the contest.
29 Aug - Struan Stevenson
MEP, Alex Johnstone
MSP, Alex Fergusson MSP and Liz Smith
MSP endorse Murdo Fraser.
30 Aug - Liz Smith
is declared as Murdo Fraser's campaign manager.
1 Sep - Gavin Brown
, formerly speculated as standing in the election, states that he will not run and lends his backing to Murdo Fraser.
2 Sep - Jackson Carlaw
officially launches his leadership campaign in Glasgow.
4 Sep - Murdo Fraser makes the high-profile announcement that if elected leader, he would disband the Scottish Conservatives and seek to create a new centre-right party, autonomous but allied to the UK Conservative Party. This prompts mixed reactions from senior party figures.
4 Sep - Ruth Davidson
formally announces that she will stand in the contest.
5 Sep - Murdo Fraser
launches his campaign in Edinburgh.
8 Sep - Ruth Davidson
launches her campaign in Edinburgh.
11 Sep - Lord Forsyth
, at one point a suggested leadership candidate, declares his backing for Ruth Davidson.
23 Sep - Nominations for leadership close. Margaret Mitchell
confirms she will stand in the election.
2 Oct - David Mundell
MP declares his backing for Ruth Davidson and states that should Fraser win, Mundell would still run as a Conservative at the 2015 election.
10 Oct - Ballot papers are distributed to Scottish Conservative party members.
4 Nov - Ruth Davidson is declared the new leader of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party.
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
The Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party is the part of the British Conservative Party that operates in Scotland. Like the UK party, it has a centre-right political philosophy which promotes conservatism and strong British Unionism...
, the third largest political party in the devolved Scottish Parliament
Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament is the devolved national, unicameral legislature of Scotland, located in the Holyrood area of the capital, Edinburgh. The Parliament, informally referred to as "Holyrood", is a democratically elected body comprising 129 members known as Members of the Scottish Parliament...
. Ruth Davidson
Ruth Davidson
Ruth Davidson is a politician, former BBC journalist and the current leader of the Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party...
was declared the winner of the contest on November 4, 2011, succeeding former leader Annabel Goldie
Annabel Goldie
Annabel MacNicoll Goldie is a Scottish Conservative Member of the Scottish Parliament for the West of Scotland Region. She was the Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party in the Scottish Parliament from 2005 until 2011....
. The election was triggered when incumbent party leader Annabel Goldie announced her resignation on 9 May 2011, following her party's self-described 'disappointing' result in the 2011 Scottish Parliament Election, in which the Conservatives were reduced from 17 seats to 15.
However, a commission headed by Lord Sanderson
Charles Sanderson, Baron Sanderson of Bowden
Russell Sanderson, Baron Sanderson of Bowden is a British Conservative Party politician and a life peer in the House of Lords....
in 2010 had outlined the need for a leadership election directly after the 2011 elections and had been highly critical of the party's current leadership and conduct. Four candidates stood in the contest, all of whom were MSPs
Member of the Scottish Parliament
Member of the Scottish Parliament is the title given to any one of the 129 individuals elected to serve in the Scottish Parliament.-Methods of Election:MSPs are elected in one of two ways:...
: Ruth Davidson
Ruth Davidson
Ruth Davidson is a politician, former BBC journalist and the current leader of the Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party...
, Murdo Fraser
Murdo Fraser
Murdo Fraser is a Scottish politician and the current Deputy leader of the Scottish Conservative Party in the Scottish Parliament. He has been a Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Mid Scotland and Fife region since 2001....
, Jackson Carlaw
Jackson Carlaw
Jackson Carlaw is a Conservative politician and a Member of the Scottish Parliament. He was defeated as a candidate for Eastwood in the 2003, 2007, and 2011 Scottish Parliament elections...
and Margaret Mitchell
Margaret Mitchell (Scottish politician)
Janet Margaret Mitchell is a Scottish Conservative politician, and has been a Member of the Scottish Parliament for Central Scotland since 2003.-Early life:...
. The contest sparked intense debate within the party, with Murdo Fraser standing on a platform of disbanding the Scottish Conservatives in favour of establishing a wholly new, centre-right Scottish party, which would be autonomous but allied to the Conservative Party
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
in England and Wales. This idea was rejected by his three opponents, however had support from over half of the MSP group. After a ballot using the Single transferable vote
Single transferable vote
The single transferable vote is a voting system designed to achieve proportional representation through preferential voting. Under STV, an elector's vote is initially allocated to his or her most preferred candidate, and then, after candidates have been either elected or eliminated, any surplus or...
method to the party's 8,500 Scottish members, Ruth Davidson defeated Fraser by a margin of 566 votes.
The Sanderson Commission
After the 2010 UK General Election, David CameronDavid Cameron
David William Donald Cameron is the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service and Leader of the Conservative Party. Cameron represents Witney as its Member of Parliament ....
's Conservatives were the largest party and subsequently formed government through a coalition with the Liberal Democrats
Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats are a social liberal political party in the United Kingdom which supports constitutional and electoral reform, progressive taxation, wealth taxation, human rights laws, cultural liberalism, banking reform and civil liberties .The party was formed in 1988 by a merger of the...
. In Scotland however, not a single seat was gained by the party, and David Mundell
David Mundell
David Gordon Mundell is a British Conservative politician and, since 2005, he has been the only Conservative Member of Parliament representing a Scottish Westminster constituency...
remained the party's only Scottish MP. A committee was then established to analyse the situation, headed by Lord Sanderson
Charles Sanderson, Baron Sanderson of Bowden
Russell Sanderson, Baron Sanderson of Bowden is a British Conservative Party politician and a life peer in the House of Lords....
, with Lord Forsyth
Michael Forsyth, Baron Forsyth of Drumlean
Michael Bruce Forsyth, Baron Forsyth of Drumlean PC, Kt is a British financier and politician, who was the Member of Parliament for Stirling from 1983 to 1997 and served in the cabinet of John Major as Secretary of State for Scotland from 1995 to 1997...
also contributing.
The Sanderson Commission outlined the following recommendations:
- Elect a Scottish leader to have overall responsibility for the Party’s performance in Scotland.
- Replace the weak leadership and governance framework with a streamlined, transparent and accountable structure.
- Create regional campaign centres staffed by campaign professionals.
- Increase support and resources for the local association network.
- Develop a clear vision for Scotland, distinct to the Scottish Conservatives.
- Engage the whole Party and wider Scotland in policy development - and recruit a chief policy adviser.
- Introduce balloted motions and open debate at Party conference.
- Overhaul candidate selection and development - and reform the current ranking process for Regional List MSPs.
- Establish a process to identify and develop future Party leaders.
- Contest every local government seat throughout Scotland.
- Launch a new fundraising and membership drive across Scotland.
- Provide an annual grant to Conservative Future ScotlandConservative Future ScotlandConservative Future Scotland is the youth wing of the Scottish Conservative Party.The organisation formed in early 2005 by the merger of the Scottish Young Conservatives and the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Students group, a process which had happened with its sister organisation in the...
to help develop the Party’s youth wing.
The commission also stated the need for a leadership election to be held after the Scottish parliamentary election, as no leadership election has thus far been held by the Scottish Conservatives. Both David McLetchie
David McLetchie
David McLetchie is a Scottish politician, currently a Scottish Conservative and Unionist Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Lothian electoral region...
and Annabel Goldie
Annabel Goldie
Annabel MacNicoll Goldie is a Scottish Conservative Member of the Scottish Parliament for the West of Scotland Region. She was the Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party in the Scottish Parliament from 2005 until 2011....
were selected as leader without any ballot taking place.
2011 Scottish Parliament Election
For the 2011 Scottish Parliament election, the party campaigned on what it called 'common sense for Scotland', and outlined the requirement for re-introducing university tuition fees and prescription charges, as well as emphasising what the party had helped pass through parliament as a minority force during 2007-11: 1,000 extra police officers, a four-year council tax freeze and a £60m town regeneration fund.In the election, the Scottish National Party
Scottish National Party
The Scottish National Party is a social-democratic political party in Scotland which campaigns for Scottish independence from the United Kingdom....
under Alex Salmond
Alex Salmond
Alexander Elliot Anderson "Alex" Salmond MSP is a Scottish politician and current First Minister of Scotland. He became Scotland's fourth First Minister in May 2007. He is the Leader of the Scottish National Party , having served as Member of the Scottish Parliament for Gordon...
won an un-precedented majority of seats, winning 69 of the 129 seats available. The Conservative result was self-described as 'dissapointing', as the party was reduced from 17 seats, to 15, losing three of their six notionally held constituency seats, which included former party leader David McLetchie
David McLetchie
David McLetchie is a Scottish politician, currently a Scottish Conservative and Unionist Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Lothian electoral region...
in Edinburgh Pentlands
Edinburgh Pentlands (UK Parliament constituency)
Edinburgh Pentlands was a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, first used in the general election of 1950, and abolished prior to the general election of 2005...
and Jackson Carlaw
Jackson Carlaw
Jackson Carlaw is a Conservative politician and a Member of the Scottish Parliament. He was defeated as a candidate for Eastwood in the 2003, 2007, and 2011 Scottish Parliament elections...
in Eastwood
Eastwood (Scottish Parliament constituency)
Eastwood is a constituency of the Scottish Parliament . It elects one Member of the Scottish Parliament by the first past the post method of election...
(however both were returned to parliament on the regional ballot). Whilst the Conservatives could take comfort in the knowledge that their losses were slight in comparison to the losses suffered by the Labour Party
Scottish Labour Party
The Scottish Labour Party is the section of the British Labour Party which operates in Scotland....
and the Liberal Democrats
Scottish Liberal Democrats
The Scottish Liberal Democrats are one of the three state parties within the federal Liberal Democrats; the others being the Welsh Liberal Democrats and the Liberal Democrats in England...
, Annabel Goldie announced her resignation as party leader a mere four days after the election.
Jackson CarlawJackson CarlawJackson Carlaw is a Conservative politician and a Member of the Scottish Parliament. He was defeated as a candidate for Eastwood in the 2003, 2007, and 2011 Scottish Parliament elections...
MSP
Age - 52Profile - MSP for the West Scotland
West Scotland (Scottish Parliament electoral region)
West of Scotland is one of the eight electoral regions of the Scottish Parliament. Ten of the parliament's 73 first past the post constituencies are sub-divisions of the region and it elects seven of the 56 additional-member Members of the Scottish Parliament...
region since 2007 and current party spokesman on energy, transport and climate change. He has held other posts in the past including deputy chairman of the Scottish Conservatives, chairman of the Scottish Young Conservatives and as a Member of the Board of the UK-wide party
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
. He has three times unsuccessfully contested the Scottish Parliament constituency of Eastwood
Eastwood (Scottish Parliament constituency)
Eastwood is a constituency of the Scottish Parliament . It elects one Member of the Scottish Parliament by the first past the post method of election...
, the third occasion whilst holding a notional majority of over 3,500 votes. He was the first contender to declare their candidacy, on August 10, 2011, and launched his campaign on September 2.
Policies - Was described as being on the right
Centre-right
The centre-right or center-right is a political term commonly used to describe or denote individuals, political parties, or organizations whose views stretch from the centre to the right on the left-right spectrum, excluding far right stances. Centre-right can also describe a coalition of centrist...
of the party, and was against the transferring of further powers to Holyrood. On September 2, he declared that he wishes for the referendum on Scottish independence to take place before any discussion is undertaken over further devolution. He also declared himself the 'unity' option for party members.
Supporters - Mary Scanlon
Mary Scanlon
Mary Scanlon is a Conservative politician, and Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Highlands and Islands region from 1999 to 2006 and since 2007....
MSP, Paul McBride
Paul McBride
Paul McBride QC is a Scottish criminal lawyer based in Edinburgh. He is a board member of the Scottish Legal Aid Board, and a former Vice Chairman of the Faculty of Advocates Criminal Bar Association.- Education :...
QC, Former MPs: Allan Stewart
Allan Stewart (politician)
Allan Stewart , is a former Scottish Conservative politician.Educated at Bell Baxter High School, St. Andrews University and Harvard University, where he obtained a first class degree, he was a lecturer in Political Economy at St. Andrews before unsuccessfully standing for the Dundee East...
, Michael Hirst and Raymond Robertson
Raymond Robertson (politician)
Raymond Scott Robertson and was educated at Glasgow University, graduating Master of Arts with Honours in Modern History and Politics. During the 1980s he taught Modern Studies at Dumbarton Academy...
.
Murdo FraserMurdo FraserMurdo Fraser is a Scottish politician and the current Deputy leader of the Scottish Conservative Party in the Scottish Parliament. He has been a Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Mid Scotland and Fife region since 2001....
MSP
Age - 46Profile - MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife
Mid Scotland and Fife (Scottish Parliament electoral region)
Mid Scotland and Fife is one of the eight electoral regions of the Scottish Parliament which were created in 1999. Nine of the parliament's 73 first past the post constituencies are sub-divisions of the region and it elects seven of the 56 additional-member Members of the Scottish Parliament...
since 2001, party spokesman on Health and the Deputy leader of party (2005-11). A former Chairman of the Scottish Young Conservatives
Scottish Young Conservatives
The Scottish Young Conservatives is the former youth wing of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. In 2005 it merged with its sister organisation, the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Students to become, in line with UK-wide youth wing Conservative Future , Conservative Future Scotland....
(1989–92), he has unsuccessfully contested the seat of Tayside North five times at Scottish and Westminster elections. He is a member of the Conservative Christian Fellowship
Conservative Christian Fellowship
The Conservative Christian Fellowship is an organisation allied with the British Conservative Party, established in 1990 by Tim Montgomerie and Conservative MP David Burrowes whilst they were students at Exeter University....
, the Scotland Malawi Partnership
Scotland Malawi Partnership
The Scotland Malawi Partnership is a non-profit umbrella organisation that co-ordinates the activities of Scottish individuals and organisations with existing links to Malawi, and aims to foster further links between both countries. It is a charitable membership organisation, with around 300...
and is the Parliamentary Advisor to the Autism Treatment Trust. Declared his candidacy on August 26.
Policies - Considered on the right
Centre-right
The centre-right or center-right is a political term commonly used to describe or denote individuals, political parties, or organizations whose views stretch from the centre to the right on the left-right spectrum, excluding far right stances. Centre-right can also describe a coalition of centrist...
of the party, Fraser supports far greater tax and spending powers for the Scottish Parliament in the form of further financial devolution. On September 1, Fraser outlined his vision for 'New Unionism', with the intention of 'killing independence
Scottish independence
Scottish independence is a political ambition of political parties, advocacy groups and individuals for Scotland to secede from the United Kingdom and become an independent sovereign state, separate from England, Wales and Northern Ireland....
' and then to 'break the SNP'. He states that he rejects full fiscal autonomy
Fiscal autonomy for Scotland
Full fiscal autonomy, sometimes referred to as devolution max, devo-max or fiscal federalism, has come to be used to describe a situation where instead of receiving a block grant from the UK Exchequer as at present, the Scottish Parliament would receive all taxation levied in Scotland and would...
for Scotland, calling it 'independence in disguise', but pledged his support for financial devolution, which he claims will make Parliament more accountable for the money it spends. On September 4, Fraser made a high-profile announcement, that if elected leader, he would disband the party in favour of setting up a new centre-right party that would be fully autonomous of the UK Conservative Party, but would take the Conservative whip at Westminster. Fraser states that this would be carried out in order to 'de-toxify' the party in Scotland, stating that it would have a distinct Scottish identity, represent Scottish values, support devolution and decentralisation, and fight to maintain Scotland's place within the United Kingdom. He also would rename the party - ditching the name 'Conservative' – with possible new names cited as Scottish Reform Party, Scottish Unionists, The Scottish Progressives, the Progressive Conservatives, Scotland First, Scotland Forward, Caledonian Party or The Caledonians. The name 'Unionist' was downplayed, so as to avoid its connotations to Northern Ireland sectarianism, and a smaller Scottish Unionist Party also exists, rendering a change to this name impossible under electoral law.
This plan would see a return to the situation of conservatism in Scotland between 1912 and 1965, when the Scottish Unionist Party was completely autonomous of the Conservative Party in England and Wales, but took the Conservative whip at Westminster, and even contributed two UK Prime Ministers: Bonar Law and Alec Douglas-Home
Alec Douglas-Home
Alexander Frederick Douglas-Home, Baron Home of the Hirsel, KT, PC , known as The Earl of Home from 1951 to 1963 and as Sir Alec Douglas-Home from 1963 to 1974, was a British Conservative politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from October 1963 to October 1964.He is the last...
. Fraser notes that it was during this time where the Unionists, as they were then called, achieved their best result in Scotland; in 1955
United Kingdom general election, 1955
The 1955 United Kingdom general election was held on 26 May 1955, four years after the previous general election. It resulted in a substantially increased majority of 60 for the Conservative government under new leader and prime minister Sir Anthony Eden against Labour Party, now in their 20th year...
, they won more seats than Labour, and took over 50% of the vote, a feat that no political party has achieved in a Scottish election since. However following the events of 1965, when the Unionist Party was merged into the UK-wide Conservative Party, the party began a downward spiral which culminated in the loss of all Scottish Conservative seats in 1997
United Kingdom general election, 1997
The United Kingdom general election, 1997 was held on 1 May 1997, more than five years after the previous election on 9 April 1992, to elect 659 members to the British House of Commons. The Labour Party ended its 18 years in opposition under the leadership of Tony Blair, and won the general...
. Fraser also cites examples of this situation existing successfully in other countries, for instance the centre-right Christian Social Union of Bavaria
Christian Social Union of Bavaria
The Christian Social Union in Bavaria is a Christian democratic and conservative political party in Germany. It operates only in the state of Bavaria, while its sister party, the Christian Democratic Union , operates in the other 15 states of Germany...
takes the whip of the German Christian Democratic Union
Christian Democratic Union (Germany)
The Christian Democratic Union of Germany is a Christian democratic and conservative political party in Germany. It is regarded as on the centre-right of the German political spectrum...
in the German parliament, but exists as a fully autonomous party. A similiar system also exists in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, whereby the Conservative Party
Conservative Party of Canada
The Conservative Party of Canada , is a political party in Canada which was formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in 2003. It is positioned on the right of the Canadian political spectrum...
governs in alliance with autonomous Conservative parties from the provinces of Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, New Brunswick
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
, Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
, Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
and the Yukon
Yukon
Yukon is the westernmost and smallest of Canada's three federal territories. It was named after the Yukon River. The word Yukon means "Great River" in Gwich’in....
territory.
On October 11, Fraser outlined ten pledges to fulfill should he win the contest. They are shown below.
- Hold monthly conference calls with constituency association chairmen.
- Hold regular ‘candidate conferences’ to ensure that candidates are getting the support they need.
- Bring back real debate and votes on policy at Party Conferences.
- Develop a new national and local media strategy to ensure that the party is able to obtain a higher level of coverage.
- Introduce a national and local online and social media strategy to raise party profile and take party message to younger voters in particular.
- Work more closely with the youth wing in the party and target younger professionals to become voters, members and candidates.
- Set up a special committee to organise fundraising for all campaigns in all parts of Scotland.
- Establish national policy groups with experts from both inside and outside the party, and ensure every constituency has the opportunity to provide input to these groups.
- Establish an annual awards programme to recognise outstanding effort by associations, candidates and individuals.
- Visit every constituency at least once per year.
Fraser declared his opposition to the centralisation of Scottish police forces, on October 25, saying 'Such a centralisation of power is incompatible with a belief in localism that is common across western European centre-right parties'.
Supporters - MSPs: David McLetchie
David McLetchie
David McLetchie is a Scottish politician, currently a Scottish Conservative and Unionist Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Lothian electoral region...
, Gavin Brown
Gavin Brown (politician)
Gavin Brown is a Conservative politician, and Member of the Scottish Parliament for Lothian since 2007 .He contested Edinburgh South at the 2005 UK general election, where he came third...
, Alex Johnstone
Alex Johnstone
Alex Johnstone is a Scottish Conservative & Unionist politician, and Member of the Scottish Parliament for the North East Scotland Region since 1999. He fought the West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine constituency in the 2005 General Election, finishing second...
, Alex Fergusson, Liz Smith
Elizabeth Smith (Scottish politician)
Elizabeth Smith is a Scottish Conservative Party politician, and Member of the Scottish Parliament for Mid Scotland and Fife...
, Nanette Milne
Nanette Milne
Dr. Nanette Milne is a Scottish Conservative Party politician who has been a Member of the Scottish Parliament for the North East Scotland Region since 2003.- Background :...
, Jamie McGrigor
Jamie McGrigor
Sir James Angus Rhoderick McGrigor, 6th Baronet is a Conservative politician, and Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Highlands and Islands Region since 1999.-Political career:...
, Struan Stevenson
Struan Stevenson
Struan Stevenson is a Scottish politician. He is a Member of the European Parliament for Scotland and Vice Chair of the Committee on Fisheries, in addition to which, he is member of the Executive of the Scottish Conservative party.-Political career:Stevenson served his early political career as...
MEP, Former Scottish Secretary Malcolm Rifkind
Malcolm Rifkind
Sir Malcolm Leslie Rifkind KCMG QC MP is a British Conservative Party politician and Member of Parliament for Kensington. He served in various roles as a cabinet minister under Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher and John Major, including Secretary of State for Scotland , Defence Secretary and...
MP, Former MP and Shadow Scottish Secretary Peter Duncan, Leaders of Conservative groups on Aberdeenshire
Aberdeenshire
Aberdeenshire is one of the 32 unitary council areas in Scotland and a lieutenancy area.The present day Aberdeenshire council area does not include the City of Aberdeen, now a separate council area, from which its name derives. Together, the modern council area and the city formed historic...
, Angus
Angus
Angus is one of the 32 local government council areas of Scotland, a registration county and a lieutenancy area. The council area borders Aberdeenshire, Perth and Kinross and Dundee City...
, Dumfries and Galloway
Dumfries and Galloway
Dumfries and Galloway is one of 32 unitary council areas of Scotland. It was one of the nine administrative 'regions' of mainland Scotland created in 1975 by the Local Government etc. Act 1973...
,Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, Fife
Fife
Fife is a council area and former county of Scotland. It is situated between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth, with inland boundaries to Perth and Kinross and Clackmannanshire...
, Perth and Kinross
Perth and Kinross
Perth and Kinross is one of 32 council areas in Scotland, and a Lieutenancy Area. It borders onto the Aberdeenshire, Angus, Dundee City, Fife, Clackmannanshire, Stirling, Argyll and Bute and Highland council areas. Perth is the administrative centre...
and Stirling
Stirling (council area)
Stirling is one of the 32 unitary local government council areas of Scotland, and has a population of about 87,000 . It was created under the Local Government etc Act 1994 with the boundaries of the Stirling district of the former Central local government region, and it covers most of the former...
councils, Former MEPs: John Purvis
John Purvis
John Purvis is a British Conservative Party politician, who was a Member of the European Parliament for Scotland.His first session in the European Parliament was from 1979 to 1984, for the Mid Scotland and Fife seat...
, John Corrie
John Corrie
John Alexander Corrie is a Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party politician and chief of Clan Corrie. He describes himself in Who's Who as a "consultant on African affairs and financial adviser to developing countries"....
and James Provan
James Provan
James Lyal Clark Provan is a British farmer, businessman and politician who served four terms as a Member of the European Parliament...
.
Campaign Manager - Liz Smith
Elizabeth Smith (Scottish politician)
Elizabeth Smith is a Scottish Conservative Party politician, and Member of the Scottish Parliament for Mid Scotland and Fife...
MSP
Ruth DavidsonRuth DavidsonRuth Davidson is a politician, former BBC journalist and the current leader of the Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party...
MSP
Age - 32Profile - MSP for the Glasgow
Glasgow (Scottish Parliament electoral region)
Glasgow is one of the eight electoral regions of the Scottish Parliament , which were created in 1999. Nine of the parliament's 73 first past the post constituencies are sub-divisions of the region and it elects seven of the 56 additional-member Members of the Scottish Parliament...
region since 2011 and party spokeswoman on culture. Formerly contested the Westminster seat of Glasgow East
Glasgow North East (UK Parliament constituency)
Glasgow North East is a burgh constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom . It was first contested at the 2005 general election...
at a by-election in 2009
Glasgow North East by-election, 2009
The 2009 Glasgow North East by-election was a by-election for the Parliament of the United Kingdom's House of Commons constituency of Glasgow North East. The by-election was held on 12 November 2009 following the resignation of Michael Martin as an MP and as Speaker of the British House of Commons...
and at the 2010 General Election. Davidson declared her candidacy on September 4, the same day that Murdo Fraser made his pitch to disband the Scottish Conservatives and start up a new party.
Policies - Was described as being more politically moderate than her main opponents and she opposed the notion of the Scottish Conservatives separating from the UK-wide party and re-naming itself.
Supporters - Scotland Office Minister David Mundell
David Mundell
David Gordon Mundell is a British Conservative politician and, since 2005, he has been the only Conservative Member of Parliament representing a Scottish Westminster constituency...
MP, MSPs: John Lamont
John Lamont (Scottish politician)
John Lamont is a Scottish Conservative Party politician, and Member of the Scottish Parliament for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire. He won the predecessor constituency of Roxburgh and Berwickshire in May 2007 and won the newly constituted seat with an increased majority...
and John Scott
John Scott (Scottish politician)
John Scott is a Scottish farmer and politician, and is a Conservative Member of the Scottish Parliament for Ayr.Born in Girvan, he has been MSP for Ayr since winning it in a by-election in 2000. He was returned in the 2003 parliamentary election and again, with an increased majority, in the 2007...
, Former MP Sir Albert McQuarrie
Albert McQuarrie
Sir Albert McQuarrie is a British Conservative politician.McQuarrie was born in Greenock. He was educated at Greenock High School and the Royal College of Science and Technology, Glasgow...
, Marquess of Lothian Michael Ancram
Michael Ancram
Michael Andrew Foster Jude Kerr, 13th Marquess of Lothian, PC, QC , known as Michael Ancram, is a United Kingdom Conservative Party politician. He is a member of the House of Lords, former Member of Parliament, and a former member of the Shadow Cabinet...
, Lord Sanderson
Charles Sanderson, Baron Sanderson of Bowden
Russell Sanderson, Baron Sanderson of Bowden is a British Conservative Party politician and a life peer in the House of Lords....
, Lord Forsyth
Michael Forsyth, Baron Forsyth of Drumlean
Michael Bruce Forsyth, Baron Forsyth of Drumlean PC, Kt is a British financier and politician, who was the Member of Parliament for Stirling from 1983 to 1997 and served in the cabinet of John Major as Secretary of State for Scotland from 1995 to 1997...
, Lord Strathclyde
Thomas Galbraith, 2nd Baron Strathclyde
Thomas Galloway Dunlop du Roy de Blicquy Galbraith, 2nd Baron Strathclyde, PC , is a British politician. He is currently the Leader of the House of Lords and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster as well as being the leader of the Conservative Party in the House of Lords...
Campaign Manager - John Lamont
John Lamont (Scottish politician)
John Lamont is a Scottish Conservative Party politician, and Member of the Scottish Parliament for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire. He won the predecessor constituency of Roxburgh and Berwickshire in May 2007 and won the newly constituted seat with an increased majority...
MSP
Margaret MitchellMargaret Mitchell (Scottish politician)Janet Margaret Mitchell is a Scottish Conservative politician, and has been a Member of the Scottish Parliament for Central Scotland since 2003.-Early life:...
MSP
Age - 58Profile - A former Justice of the Peace, Mitchell has represented the Central Scotland
Central Scotland (Scottish Parliament electoral region)
Central Scotland is one of the eight electoral regions of the Scottish Parliament which were created in 1999. Ten of the parliament's 73 first past the post constituencies are sub-divisions of the region and it elects seven of the 56 additional-member Members of the Scottish Parliament...
region in the Scottish Parliament since 2003. She declared in July that she would support Lord Forsyth
Michael Forsyth, Baron Forsyth of Drumlean
Michael Bruce Forsyth, Baron Forsyth of Drumlean PC, Kt is a British financier and politician, who was the Member of Parliament for Stirling from 1983 to 1997 and served in the cabinet of John Major as Secretary of State for Scotland from 1995 to 1997...
, however Forsyth declared his backing for another candidate in September. On the day of nominations closing on September 23, Mitchell declared that she would stand in the contest, having got the 100 nominations neccesary.
Policies - She opposed the Scotland Bill 2011
Scotland Bill 2011
The Scotland Bill is a bill proposed by the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition UK Government, with broad support from the opposition Labour Party, setting out amendments to the Scotland Act 1998, with the aim of devolving further powers to Scotland....
, calling its proposal to vary tax by 10p as 'crazy', and is opposed to the notion of the Scottish Conservatives disbanding into a new centre-right party.
Supporters - None declared.
Speculated candidates who did not stand in the contest
- John LamontJohn Lamont (Scottish politician)John Lamont is a Scottish Conservative Party politician, and Member of the Scottish Parliament for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire. He won the predecessor constituency of Roxburgh and Berwickshire in May 2007 and won the newly constituted seat with an increased majority...
- MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh & BerwickshireEttrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Scottish Parliament constituency)Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire is a constituency of the Scottish Parliament . It will elect one Member of the Scottish Parliament by the plurality method of election...
and party spokesman on justice. Lamont had 'dropped strong hints' that he would run for the leadership, shortly after the Scottish parliament elections. However, in June 2010, Lamont attacked the system of state-funded Roman Catholic education in west-central Scotland, reportedly 'self-destructing' his chances of standing for leadership. In August 2011, he confirmed that he would not stand stand in the contest and eventually lent his backing to Ruth Davidson.
- Gavin BrownGavin Brown (politician)Gavin Brown is a Conservative politician, and Member of the Scottish Parliament for Lothian since 2007 .He contested Edinburgh South at the 2005 UK general election, where he came third...
- MSP for the LothianLothian (Scottish Parliament electoral region)Lothian is one of the eight electoral regions of the Scottish Parliament. Nine of the parliament's 73first past the post constituencies are sub-divisions of the region and it elects seven of the 56 additional-member Members of the Scottish Parliament...
region since 2007, and party spokesman on the economy. On September 1, Brown stated that, after consideration, he would not stand in the contest and declared his support for Murdo Fraser.
- Alex Fergusson - MSP for Galloway & West DumfriesGalloway and West Dumfries (Scottish Parliament constituency)Galloway and West Dumfries is a constituency of the Scottish Parliament . It elects one Member of the Scottish Parliament by the plurality method of election...
and former Presiding Officer of the Scottish ParliamentPresiding Officer of the Scottish ParliamentThe Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament is the speaker of the Scottish Parliament, elected by the Members of the Scottish Parliament, by means of an exhaustive ballot. He or she also heads the Corporate Body of the Scottish Parliament and as such is viewed as a figurehead for the entire...
. Fergusson ruled out any prospect of him standing for leadership on election night, saying that he was 'too old' and eventually backed Murdo Fraser.
- Annabel GoldieAnnabel GoldieAnnabel MacNicoll Goldie is a Scottish Conservative Member of the Scottish Parliament for the West of Scotland Region. She was the Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party in the Scottish Parliament from 2005 until 2011....
- Former Party leader (2005–11) and MSP for West of Scotland list. Goldie confirmed during her resignation, that she would not contest the forthcoming leadership election.
- Michael ForsythMichael Forsyth, Baron Forsyth of DrumleanMichael Bruce Forsyth, Baron Forsyth of Drumlean PC, Kt is a British financier and politician, who was the Member of Parliament for Stirling from 1983 to 1997 and served in the cabinet of John Major as Secretary of State for Scotland from 1995 to 1997...
- Former Secretary of State for ScotlandSecretary of State for ScotlandThe Secretary of State for Scotland is the principal minister of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom with responsibilities for Scotland. He heads the Scotland Office , a government department based in London and Edinburgh. The post was created soon after the Union of the Crowns, but was...
under John MajorJohn MajorSir John Major, is a British Conservative politician, who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party from 1990–1997...
(1995–97) and MP for StirlingStirling (UK Parliament constituency)Stirling is a county constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.-Boundaries:...
(1983–97), now sits in the House of Lords as 'Baron Forsyth of Drumlean'. Margaret MitchellMargaret Mitchell (Scottish politician)Janet Margaret Mitchell is a Scottish Conservative politician, and has been a Member of the Scottish Parliament for Central Scotland since 2003.-Early life:...
had said she would support him if he stood in the contest, however on 11 September, Forsyth declared his backing for Ruth Davidson and Mitchell went on to declare her own candidacy.
Reaction to Murdo Fraser's proposal
Murdo Fraser announced on September 4, 2011, his idea to disband the Scottish Conservatives and create a new centre-right party. The idea received mixed reception amongst senior Conservatives, with former Scottish Secretary under John Major Lord ForsythMichael Forsyth, Baron Forsyth of Drumlean
Michael Bruce Forsyth, Baron Forsyth of Drumlean PC, Kt is a British financier and politician, who was the Member of Parliament for Stirling from 1983 to 1997 and served in the cabinet of John Major as Secretary of State for Scotland from 1995 to 1997...
calling the plan 'ludicrous', however his predeseccor under Margaret Thatcher, Sir Malcolm Rifkind
Malcolm Rifkind
Sir Malcolm Leslie Rifkind KCMG QC MP is a British Conservative Party politician and Member of Parliament for Kensington. He served in various roles as a cabinet minister under Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher and John Major, including Secretary of State for Scotland , Defence Secretary and...
called it 'refreshing' and stated that it should be given serious consideration. The Education Secretary Michael Gove
Michael Gove
Michael Andrew Gove, MP is a British politician, who currently serves as the Secretary of State for Education and as the Conservative Party Member of Parliament for the Surrey Heath constituency. He is also a published author and former journalist.Born in Edinburgh, Gove was raised in Aberdeen...
, who was born and raised in Scotland, but represents an English constituency welcomed the idea, calling it a sign of genuine 'revival, political and intellectually' of the centre-right in Scotland, whereas former Defence Secretary Liam Fox
Liam Fox
Liam Fox MP is a British Conservative politician, Member of Parliament for North Somerset, and former Secretary of State for Defence....
, also a Scot representing an English constituency, stated that he opposed the idea. No word was received on the Prime Minister David Cameron
David Cameron
David William Donald Cameron is the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service and Leader of the Conservative Party. Cameron represents Witney as its Member of Parliament ....
's viewpoint, however his close ally Francis Maude
Francis Maude
Francis Anthony Aylmer Maude is a British politician. A member of the Conservative Party, he currently serves as the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, and as a Member of Parliament representing the constituency of Horsham...
pledged support for the idea.
Scotland Office minister David Mundell
David Mundell
David Gordon Mundell is a British Conservative politician and, since 2005, he has been the only Conservative Member of Parliament representing a Scottish Westminster constituency...
, the only Scottish Conservative MP, initially said that it would 'take a very great deal of convincing' to make him support the idea, however later came out in stark opposition to the plan, calling it 'betrayal' and stated that he would still run as a Conservative at the next general election whether or not Fraser was successful. Several other senior Conservative figures, including Norman Tebbit
Norman Tebbit
Norman Beresford Tebbit, Baron Tebbit, CH, PC , is a British politician. A member of the Conservative Party, he served in the Cabinet from 1981 to 1987 as Secretary of State for Employment...
and Daniel Hannan
Daniel Hannan
Daniel John Hannan is a British journalist, author and politician who is currently a Member of the European Parliament, representing South East England for the Conservative Party and the European Conservatives and Reformists political group...
supported Fraser's plan, and Daily Mail journalist Peter Hitchens
Peter Hitchens
Peter Jonathan Hitchens is an award-winning British columnist and author, noted for his traditionalist conservative stance. He has published five books, including The Abolition of Britain, A Brief History of Crime, The Broken Compass and most recently The Rage Against God. Hitchens writes for...
went so far as to say this idea should be adopted by the whole UK Conservative Party in order to re-claim support.
Fraser was backed by over half the MSP group, though all three of the other leadership contenders oppose the idea. Rival candidate Jackson Carlaw called the idea a 'distraction', and said it would only 'divide and not unite the party'.
Campaign Controversy
On 5 October 2011, the Scottish Conservative media director Ramsay Jones was suspended from his duties during the leadership contest, after it was revealed that he had met Davidson and her campaign team in her flat on Sunday, September 18. This breached his impartial status. However Jones was re-instated in his role after Davidson was elected leader .On 11 September 2011, Davidson sacked her election agent and parliamentary assistant Ross McFarlane after a newspaper unearthed camera footage of McFarlane drunkenly trying to burn a European Union flag while making anti-Catholic sectarian remarks in a Glasgow street in November 2010.
Campaign Hustings
A series of hustingHusting
A husting originally referred to a physical platform from which representatives presented their views or cast votes before a parliamentary or other election body...
s took place during the campaign, in which the four contestants debated one another.
| Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 24 | Inverness Inverness Inverness is a city in the Scottish Highlands. It is the administrative centre for the Highland council area, and is regarded as the capital of the Highlands of Scotland... |
|
| Oct 2-5 | Manchester Manchester Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater... |
At UK party conference. |
| Oct 14 | Perth Perth, Scotland Perth is a town and former city and royal burgh in central Scotland. Located on the banks of the River Tay, it is the administrative centre of Perth and Kinross council area and the historic county town of Perthshire... |
|
| Oct 15 | Dundee Dundee Dundee is the fourth-largest city in Scotland and the 39th most populous settlement in the United Kingdom. It lies within the eastern central Lowlands on the north bank of the Firth of Tay, which feeds into the North Sea... |
|
| Oct 17 | Edinburgh Edinburgh Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area... |
|
| Oct 21 | Dumfries Dumfries Dumfries is a market town and former royal burgh within the Dumfries and Galloway council area of Scotland. It is near the mouth of the River Nith into the Solway Firth. Dumfries was the county town of the former county of Dumfriesshire. Dumfries is nicknamed Queen of the South... |
|
| Oct 22 | Giffnock Giffnock Giffnock is a wealthy, dormitory suburb of Glasgow in the East Renfrewshire Council area, within the historic county of Renfrewshire in the west central Lowlands of Scotland... |
|
| Oct 29 | Banchory Banchory Banchory is a burgh or town in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, lying approximately 18 miles west of Aberdeen, near where the Feugh River meets the River Dee.- Overview :... |
Jackson Carlaw was absent from this debate after being hospitalised with appendicitis Appendicitis Appendicitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the appendix. It is classified as a medical emergency and many cases require removal of the inflamed appendix, either by laparotomy or laparoscopy. Untreated, mortality is high, mainly because of the risk of rupture leading to... . |
Results
Reaction to result
Prime Minister and Conservative Party leader David CameronDavid Cameron
David William Donald Cameron is the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service and Leader of the Conservative Party. Cameron represents Witney as its Member of Parliament ....
congratulated Davidson on her win, saying that he looks 'forward to working with her to strengthen the Union and build a better future for Scotland'. Outgoing Scottish Conservative leader Annabel Goldie
Annabel Goldie
Annabel MacNicoll Goldie is a Scottish Conservative Member of the Scottish Parliament for the West of Scotland Region. She was the Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party in the Scottish Parliament from 2005 until 2011....
also offered congratulations, pledging 'not be a back seat driver' and was 'confident that she is more than equal to taking on Alex Salmond
Alex Salmond
Alexander Elliot Anderson "Alex" Salmond MSP is a Scottish politician and current First Minister of Scotland. He became Scotland's fourth First Minister in May 2007. He is the Leader of the Scottish National Party , having served as Member of the Scottish Parliament for Gordon...
'. Murdo Fraser
Murdo Fraser
Murdo Fraser is a Scottish politician and the current Deputy leader of the Scottish Conservative Party in the Scottish Parliament. He has been a Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Mid Scotland and Fife region since 2001....
conceded defeat, saying he was 'disappointed that I was not able to persuade more of our members that my vision for the future is the correct one', but pledged to support Davidson as leader.
First Minister and SNP leader Alex Salmond
Alex Salmond
Alexander Elliot Anderson "Alex" Salmond MSP is a Scottish politician and current First Minister of Scotland. He became Scotland's fourth First Minister in May 2007. He is the Leader of the Scottish National Party , having served as Member of the Scottish Parliament for Gordon...
congratulated Davidson, but emphasised 'the scale of the task for Ruth Davidson in motivating her party'. Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray
Iain Gray
Iain Gray is a Scottish politician and the Leader of Scottish Labour Party Opposition in the Scottish Parliament. Gray was elected as the Member of the Scottish Parliament for the East Lothian constituency in 2007 having previously represented Edinburgh Pentlands from 1999 to 2003.-Background and...
said that following in Annabel Goldie's footsteps would be a 'big task' for Davidson, and the Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie
Willie Rennie
William Cowan Rennie MSP is a Scottish politician and current Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats.After college, Rennie spent most of his early career as a Liberal Democrat campaigner and official before working as a public relations consultant in the private sector...
said that he 'looks forward to working with her, in her new role, as we strive to hold the SNP government to account'.
The day after the result, leading Scottish Conservative supporter Paul McBride
Paul McBride
Paul McBride QC is a Scottish criminal lawyer based in Edinburgh. He is a board member of the Scottish Legal Aid Board, and a former Vice Chairman of the Faculty of Advocates Criminal Bar Association.- Education :...
QC resigned from the party, citing that he 'frequently found himself at odds with the party in recent months', particularly with their policy on anti-sectarianism legislation and said of new party leader Ruth Davidson, that 'they have a leader who has no policies and little experience apart from having been on television about as many times as I have' and that (the Scottish Conservatives) 'replaced one nice woman with one not so very nice woman'.
In an interview with the BBC, leading party donor John McGlynn, who had supported Murdo Fraser, was critical of Ruth Davidson, saying that 'there isn't a new team of people behind (her)'. He called her her appointment of David Mundell
David Mundell
David Gordon Mundell is a British Conservative politician and, since 2005, he has been the only Conservative Member of Parliament representing a Scottish Westminster constituency...
MP as interim party chairman 'not new' and went on to say 'I would've thought there'd been more planning in a leadership campaign'. McGlynn said that the view amongst other party donors is 'mixed', and that he believed Davidson was elected though 'interference'.
In Davidson's new shadow cabinet, Murdo Fraser
Murdo Fraser
Murdo Fraser is a Scottish politician and the current Deputy leader of the Scottish Conservative Party in the Scottish Parliament. He has been a Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Mid Scotland and Fife region since 2001....
refused a post, but has been tipped to eventually lead the Scottish Conservative campaign to secure a 'No' vote in the forthcoming referendum.
Post leadership election events
The newly elected leader will no doubt oversee the implementation of the recommendations made by the Sanderson Commission, and will lead the party into the 2012 local council electionsScottish local elections, 2012
The 2012 Scottish Local Elections, will be held on May 3, in all 32 Scottish Local Authorities. The election was due to be held on May 5, 2011, but Scottish Ministers heeded the advice of the Gould Report and split the Holyrood and Local Elections - in order to avoid a repeat of the 2007 fiasco...
.
Beyond this, there is also the 2015 UK general election
Next United Kingdom general election
The United Kingdom general election of 2010 was held on Thursday 6 May 2010 to elect members to the House of Commons. The election took place in 650 constituencies across the United Kingdom under the first-past-the-post system. None of the parties achieved the 326 seats needed for an overall majority...
, the 2016 Scottish Parliament election
Scottish Parliament general election, 2016
The 2016 Scottish Parliament general election is due to be held on Thursday 5 May 2016 to elect 129 members to the Scottish Parliament. It would be the fifth general election since the devolved parliament was established in 1999.-Date:...
, and the unscheduled referendum on whether or not Scotland should leave the UK, in which the Conservatives will be involved in the campaign to stay in the UK.
Timeline of events
9 May - Annabel GoldieAnnabel Goldie
Annabel MacNicoll Goldie is a Scottish Conservative Member of the Scottish Parliament for the West of Scotland Region. She was the Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party in the Scottish Parliament from 2005 until 2011....
announces her resignation as Scottish Conservative leader.
5 Aug - John Lamont
John Lamont (Scottish politician)
John Lamont is a Scottish Conservative Party politician, and Member of the Scottish Parliament for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire. He won the predecessor constituency of Roxburgh and Berwickshire in May 2007 and won the newly constituted seat with an increased majority...
, after much speculation, announces that he will not stand in the leadership contest.
10 Aug - Jackson Carlaw
Jackson Carlaw
Jackson Carlaw is a Conservative politician and a Member of the Scottish Parliament. He was defeated as a candidate for Eastwood in the 2003, 2007, and 2011 Scottish Parliament elections...
declares he will stand in the contest.
26 Aug - Murdo Fraser
Murdo Fraser
Murdo Fraser is a Scottish politician and the current Deputy leader of the Scottish Conservative Party in the Scottish Parliament. He has been a Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Mid Scotland and Fife region since 2001....
declares he will stand in the contest.
29 Aug - Struan Stevenson
Struan Stevenson
Struan Stevenson is a Scottish politician. He is a Member of the European Parliament for Scotland and Vice Chair of the Committee on Fisheries, in addition to which, he is member of the Executive of the Scottish Conservative party.-Political career:Stevenson served his early political career as...
MEP, Alex Johnstone
Alex Johnstone
Alex Johnstone is a Scottish Conservative & Unionist politician, and Member of the Scottish Parliament for the North East Scotland Region since 1999. He fought the West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine constituency in the 2005 General Election, finishing second...
MSP, Alex Fergusson MSP and Liz Smith
Elizabeth Smith (Scottish politician)
Elizabeth Smith is a Scottish Conservative Party politician, and Member of the Scottish Parliament for Mid Scotland and Fife...
MSP endorse Murdo Fraser.
30 Aug - Liz Smith
Elizabeth Smith (Scottish politician)
Elizabeth Smith is a Scottish Conservative Party politician, and Member of the Scottish Parliament for Mid Scotland and Fife...
is declared as Murdo Fraser's campaign manager.
1 Sep - Gavin Brown
Gavin Brown (politician)
Gavin Brown is a Conservative politician, and Member of the Scottish Parliament for Lothian since 2007 .He contested Edinburgh South at the 2005 UK general election, where he came third...
, formerly speculated as standing in the election, states that he will not run and lends his backing to Murdo Fraser.
2 Sep - Jackson Carlaw
Jackson Carlaw
Jackson Carlaw is a Conservative politician and a Member of the Scottish Parliament. He was defeated as a candidate for Eastwood in the 2003, 2007, and 2011 Scottish Parliament elections...
officially launches his leadership campaign in Glasgow.
4 Sep - Murdo Fraser makes the high-profile announcement that if elected leader, he would disband the Scottish Conservatives and seek to create a new centre-right party, autonomous but allied to the UK Conservative Party. This prompts mixed reactions from senior party figures.
4 Sep - Ruth Davidson
Ruth Davidson
Ruth Davidson is a politician, former BBC journalist and the current leader of the Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party...
formally announces that she will stand in the contest.
5 Sep - Murdo Fraser
Murdo Fraser
Murdo Fraser is a Scottish politician and the current Deputy leader of the Scottish Conservative Party in the Scottish Parliament. He has been a Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Mid Scotland and Fife region since 2001....
launches his campaign in Edinburgh.
8 Sep - Ruth Davidson
Ruth Davidson
Ruth Davidson is a politician, former BBC journalist and the current leader of the Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party...
launches her campaign in Edinburgh.
11 Sep - Lord Forsyth
Michael Forsyth, Baron Forsyth of Drumlean
Michael Bruce Forsyth, Baron Forsyth of Drumlean PC, Kt is a British financier and politician, who was the Member of Parliament for Stirling from 1983 to 1997 and served in the cabinet of John Major as Secretary of State for Scotland from 1995 to 1997...
, at one point a suggested leadership candidate, declares his backing for Ruth Davidson.
23 Sep - Nominations for leadership close. Margaret Mitchell
Margaret Mitchell (Scottish politician)
Janet Margaret Mitchell is a Scottish Conservative politician, and has been a Member of the Scottish Parliament for Central Scotland since 2003.-Early life:...
confirms she will stand in the election.
2 Oct - David Mundell
David Mundell
David Gordon Mundell is a British Conservative politician and, since 2005, he has been the only Conservative Member of Parliament representing a Scottish Westminster constituency...
MP declares his backing for Ruth Davidson and states that should Fraser win, Mundell would still run as a Conservative at the 2015 election.
10 Oct - Ballot papers are distributed to Scottish Conservative party members.
4 Nov - Ruth Davidson is declared the new leader of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party.
External links
- http://www.murdo2011.com/ - Murdo Fraser's campaign site.
- http://www.jacksonforleader.com/ - Jackson Carlaw's campaign site.
- http://www.ruthdavidson.co.uk/ - Ruth Davidson's campaign site.
- http://margaretforleader.com/ - Margaret Mitchell's campaign site.
See also
- Scottish Labour Party leadership election, 2011Scottish Labour Party leadership election, 2011The 2011 Scottish Labour Party leadership election is an internal party election to choose a new leader of the Scottish Labour Party. The election follows the announcement by Iain Gray that he would stand down as leader in the autumn of 2011 followin the party's heavy defeat to the Scottish...
- Scottish Liberal Democrats leadership election, 2011Scottish Liberal Democrats leadership election, 2011The 2011 Scottish Liberal Democrats leadership election was triggered by the resignation of party leader Tavish Scott on 7 May 2011, due to the very poor showing of the party at the 2011 Scottish parliament election, in which the Liberal Democrats only returned 5 MSPs and lost 12.Nominations for...