Russell Findlay made the best of the dire hand he was dealt. But now there are breaks in the clouds – and he and the Scottish Conservatives have cause for optimism
Russell Findlay is heading into his Scottish Conservative conference speech with some reason for optimism, despite the party’s sharp fall in the Holyrood elections. The article argues that his 12 MSPs represent a better outcome than many expected, given the UK Conservatives’ unpopularity and Reform’s challenge, and that the party’s prospects may improve as its rivals face difficulties.
Labour is burdened by an unpopular UK government, while Scottish Labour leader Michael Marra’s softer stance on tax and independence could alienate some voters. Reform’s Scottish leader Malcolm Offord is portrayed as struggling to establish whether the party is a credible alternative government or mainly a disruptive force. The article says these openings could help the Conservatives appeal to pro-Union voters, alongside growing support for UK leader Kemi Badenoch.
- Findlay survived a severe electoral setback with 12 MSPs.
- Labour and Reform face strategic and political challenges.
- The Conservatives may gain ground among pro-Union voters.
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Russell Findlay is the leader of the Scottish Conservative Party, one of Scotland's major political forces. Scotland has its own parliament at Holyrood which sets policy on many issues, though Scotland remains part of the United Kingdom. The party recently contested elections for this parliament, and understanding where it now stands matters because it affects Scottish politics.
The Scottish Conservatives won 12 seats in the recent Holyrood election, a result that surprised many observers given how unpopular the UK Conservative government is. The party faced competition from Labour, Reform and others in its bid to lead Scotland's parliament. Findlay and his party view this as a foundation for future progress.
The Conservatives may find opportunities in difficulties facing their rivals. Labour leads the Scottish Parliament but faces the UK government's unpopularity, whilst Reform's leader Malcolm Offord is still establishing what his party stands for. Growing support for UK leader Kemi Badenoch may help Scottish Conservatives appeal to voters who favour maintaining the Union.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The Scottish Conservatives can reasonably identify genuine opportunities in their rivals' difficulties, with Labour facing an unpopular UK government and internal tensions over tax and independence, whilst Reform lacks clear strategic direction. Their twelve MSPs represent a better-than-expected outcome given the UK party's deep unpopularity, and with Kemi Badenoch showing early signs of generating momentum, pro-Union voters are a potentially available constituency. Patient rebuilding could translate into modest electoral recovery if the party plays its position carefully, offering a realistic basis for the optimism Findlay brings to his conference speech.
The case against
Whilst the Conservatives' rivals do face difficulties, the Scottish party's sharply declining electoral performance suggests voters have fundamentally rejected them in a way that opponents' problems cannot easily reverse. The UK Conservative brand remains deeply unpopular, creating a persistent structural challenge that will constrain any recovery regardless of Labour's troubles or Reform's lack of direction. Recovery hopes rooted in nascent leadership changes and pro-Union coalition-building may be premature when the party's underlying support remains weak and years of unpopularity have caused deep electoral damage.