THE Scottish Conservative Party is also looking for a leader to replace Annabel Goldie but is currently better organised than Labour at finding a successor.
Like Labour’s Iain Gray, Ms Goldie will still be at the helm when the new session of Parliament starts on September 6 but, unlike Labour, the Conservatives have set a timetable for finding a replacement, with the winner named on November 4.
Three names are in the frame – deputy leader, Murdo Fraser, West of Scotland MSP, Jackson Carlaw and Glasgow newcomer, Ruth Davidson.
Transport spokesman Mr Carlaw, 52, has already declared he will stand and has published a paper on how he thinks the Scottish Parliament can be improved. To get the job, however, he will have to beat Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Mr Fraser, 45, who has been deputy leader for the last six years and who is its health spokesman.
However, if the party is looking for a break from the past Ms Davidson, 32, could win even though she only became an MSP in May’s election. She is the party’s culture spokeswoman and it has been reported that she has Ms Goldie’s support.
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