A former intensive care nurse and businesswoman has officially entered the race to become the next Scottish Conservative leader, insisting her grounding in the “real world” can help propel the party into government.

Michelle Ballantyne, who is currently the party’s social security spokeswoman, outlined her pitch in a newspaper article.

She insisted she is not a career politician, adding: “I have principles founded in the real world.”

It came a day after Jackson Carlaw, the interim leader of the Scottish Tories, announced his bid to secure the job on a permanent basis. 

He is widely seen as the favourite to win the race, and has enlisted a top public relations firm to boost his leadership campaign.

The contest follows Ruth Davidson’s decision to resign in August last year, citing both her “conflict” over Brexit and the birth of her son Finn. 

Yesterday, former Scottish Tory MP Ross Thomson, who stepped down before December’s election after a Labour MP accused him of sexual assault, gave his backing to Ms Ballantyne. 

Mr Thomson, who denies the allegations made by Paul Sweeney, wrote on social media: “Members deserve a contest not a coronation. 

“Michelle has the experience and the ideas to make our party a home for working people across Scotland.”

Ms Ballantyne launched her leadership bid using an article in the Daily Telegraph. 

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Ruth Davidson quit as Scottish Conservative leader in August (Jane Barlow/PA)

Outlining her backstory, she said she had seen people “at their best and at their worst”, spending two years working in intensive care as a staff nurse before becoming an NHS manager and working in the voluntary sector.

The MSP for South Scotland said she is currently the patron of a food bank, while her time building a manufacturing company with her husband meant she understood the needs of small businesses. She also highlighted her experience as a local councillor.

She wrote: “As Ruth demonstrated, we need a leader with an ability to connect with voters; they need to see something of themselves in you.”
Ms Ballantyne added: “I recognise that it would be simpler and quicker to coronate a new leader.

“But leadership coronations historically have not delivered the best outcomes for the country.

“I passionately believe that it is the inalienable right of our members to choose their leader.

“By putting my name forward to be Scottish Conservative leader, I am placing the power in the hands of our members, where it rightly lies, giving that leader the legitimacy to not only lead our party but to potentially lead our country as Scotland’s next first minister.”

She continued: “If the Scottish Conservatives are to be serious about levelling up and defeating the SNP in 2021, there is work to do and I believe I have the background, the experience and the ability to lead the Scottish Conservatives from a party of opposition to a party of government. 

“I’m up for the fight. Come and join me!”

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Ms Ballantyne, a mother of six, caused controversy in 2018 after saying poor people on benefits cannot have as many children as they like.

Mr Carlaw became the first candidate to enter the Tory leadership contest when he confirmed he would be standing on Monday morning.

He stressed the need to “take the fight to Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP” and also said the Scottish Conservatives must broaden their platform and diversify the party.

Nominations close at noon on Friday January 17, with those looking to be the next leader needing to secure the support of at least 100 party members. 
No other MSPs are expected to put their names forward. Many want to avoid a leadership contest, viewing it as a distraction ahead of the 2021 Holyrood election. 

A number of high-profile figures have thrown their weight behind Mr Carlaw, including Adam Tomkins, the party’s constitution spokesman, and Miles Briggs, its health spokesman.

Mr Carlaw, who was Ms Davidson’s deputy, has appointed Halogen Communications to provide PR support during his campaign.

The hunt for Ms Davidson’s successor was put on hold due to Brexit and the snap general election, which saw the Tories lose seven of the 13 seats they had held in Scotland.

The disappointing result followed a campaign focused heavily on opposition to Nicola Sturgeon’s plans to hold a second independence referendum.