Scottish Tory leadership candidate Russell Findlay said he hopes his party is not just the bridesmaid when it comes to Holyrood election results. But is he right to have optimism over the chances of being first minister in the future?
He and his two fellow candidates – Meghan Gallacher and Murdo Fraser – have admitted the task of becoming first minister is more or less off the cards in 2026.
Considering the general election result, which saw the Conservatives swept aside by Labour and recording its worst result in terms of seats in history.
The general election result was less punishing for the Tories in Scotland, losing just one seat to return five MPs in Westminster.
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But the party was significantly bruised after Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross quit during the campaign, and then lost the seat to the SNP in Aberdeenshire North and Moray East.
He handed the SNP their only gain of the election.
During the party’s leadership contest to replace him, Mr Fraser told the Holyrood Sources podcast that while his party may be realistic about its chances of forming a government after the 2026 election.
However, he tried to appear optimistic for the future, telling the podcast: “We shouldn’t be going into this thing thinking that we’re going to be the bridesmaid.”
He added: “I think one day it is not unreasonable to aspire for a Scottish Conservative first minister.”
But he later compared the challenge of finally becoming “the bride” of Holyrood as having a mountain to climb.
It is hard to imagine a time in the future when the Conservatives could be in charge in Holyrood.
However, the party became the second largest in Holyrood in 2016 and retaining the position in 2021, but with Labour’s comeback at Westminster potentially spreading north to Scotland, that position could be under threat too.
Mr Russell’s own leadership rival Ms Gallacher admitted the Holyrood party had been “firefighting” decisions made by previous Conservative-led UK Governments, which she said negatively impacted them in the polls.
That includes former prime minister Boris Johnson’s pandemic partygate scandal and his successor Liz Truss’ mini budget.
And current leader Mr Ross became unpopular with members of his own party after he u-turned on the decision not to seek election at Westminster to concentrate on the job at Holyrood, particularly as former MP David Duguid was deselected in the seat for ill health.
Mr Fraser’s ambition to become a future first minister is admirable and honest – but he’s absolutely right to note the scale of the challenge ahead of whoever becomes the next leader.
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