THE Scottish Tories have named a new party chairman and deputy leader.
Douglas Ross announced the changes following “very disappointing” results in Thursday’s council elections.
MSP Craig Hoy has been appointed as chairman, while Holyrood colleague Meghan Gallacher is the new deputy leader.
Rob Forman is stepping down as chairman after seven years in the role.
Ross offered his “sincere thanks” to the outgoing chairman, adding he has “presided over the renaissance of the Scottish Conservative Party”.
The Tory leader continued: “Rab was our chairman for excellent Scottish Parliament results in 2016 and 2021, as well as our most successful General Elections and local elections. He has made a significant contribution to that success. He leaves the job of party chairman with the best wishes and gratitude of everyone in our party.”
He also welcomed the new appointees, Hoy and Gallacher, both of whom became MSPs for the first time in last year’s Holyrood election.
“In a short space of time, Craig has proven to be incredibly hard working,” Ross said. “He will bring an umatched drive and energy to the role.
“Meghan has a bright future in our party. She is an outstanding local representative for her constituents and I am sure she will prove to be just as effective in this new position.”
Forman said it was the “right time” to step down, wishing his replacement “every success”.
Hoy commented: “I’m thrilled to accept this position. There’s a big challenge facing our party but, under Douglas Ross’ leadership and with the team of MSPs we have, I’m convinced we can move forward to even greater heights than he delivered last year. “All of our focus now needs to be on how we build up the party’s operations so that we can remove the SNP from power in the future.”
Gallacher is the first person to fill the position of deputy leader since it was scrapped shortly after Ross took charge of the party.
She said: “I’m honoured to be asked to be deputy leader and I can’t wait to get started.
“We are determined to win back the trust of every Scottish Conservative voter who backed the party in last year’s election.”
Overall, the Scottish Tories lost 62 seats in the council elections, returning 214 councillors.
The party suffered its worst result in Edinburgh for 50 years, while in Glasgow they dropped to just two councillors.
