SCOTTISH Tory leadership candidates Murdo Fraser and Russell Findlay clashed during a debate on STV on Monday night.
Fraser and Findlay, along with Meghan Gallacher, took part in a TV debate as part of the race to replace Douglas Ross as leader of the Scottish Conservatives.
Findlay, who is regarded as the frontrunner in the race, was challenged by Fraser on how he could be “standing for change” when he is “being backed by all the people who’ve run this party for the last number of years”.
“Aren’t you just the establishment candidate?” Fraser asked his colleague.
Findlay hit back at Fraser, saying it was a “curious charge” because he is not a “career politician”.
“I’ve got a life out with the Holyrood bubble. I spent almost 30 years working as a journalist, working and helping people across Scotland and that’s why I bring a fresh perspective to politics.”
It comes following reports that Ross said he should be replaced by Findlay, who added that his role is “not about dwelling on these machinations of the inner workings of the party or taking part in any form of blue-on-blue attacks, but to build a consensus”.
On #scotnight The three candidates vying to become the next leader of the Scottish Conservatives go head-to-head in a studio debate. STV at 10:40pm pic.twitter.com/3wQ4CHd8Ff
— ScotlandTonight (@ScotlandTonight) September 2, 2024
He told Fraser that labelling him as “some kind of establishment character” was a “bit fanciful”.
Gallacher admits to divisions
Gallacher previously resigned as Scottish Tory deputy leader following allegations that Ross met with Westminster candidate Kathleen Robertson in July 2023 and raised the prospect of him replacing her at the General Election.
She said there had been “blue on blue” attacks and that these were “not helpful” but refused to be drawn further.
Gallacher (above) added: “I wasn’t frozen out, there was a small tent. I wasn’t always in the room when discussions were taking place.
“I’m not getting into the blue on blue, that is not how I’m running my campaign at all.”
Support for Labour
Fraser said that he could not see any scenario in which the Scottish Tories put the SNP back into power, and that support for Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar would depend on circumstances.
He said: “I wouldn’t give anybody a free pass. If you look at Labour’s policies, if you take out the constitution, Labour’s policies are almost as bad – sometimes worse – than those of the SNP, so let’s not give Labour a free pass.
“If they want our support, let’s sit down and have a conversation.”
Gallacher meanwhile commented that she would enter negotiations with Scottish Labour but that it would be on policies she views as important.
“That’s pockets, parents, properties, pensioners and protections,” she said.
“If we could get a deal on that then we could wait and see.”
