MURDO Fraser has announced he has entered the contest to replace Douglas Ross as Scottish Tory leader.
The MSP previously ran to lead the party in 2011, but lost out to Ruth Davidson.
He currently serves as an MSP for the Mid Scotland and Fife region and confirmed his intention to run in The Scotsman.
He joins a growing list of candidates to enter the race, which so far includes the following:
- Russell Findlay
- Brian Whittle
- Meghan Gallacher
- Liam Kerr
- Jamie Greene
Fraser said: “As leader, I would be active in promoting Scottish interests, not fearing to challenge Westminster colleagues if that were necessary.
“But I won’t be splitting the party or setting up a new one – my aim is to unite our party, not divide it.
“In any event, these are questions for the membership as a whole, not the leader, and we have had too much top-down decision-making in the past.”
Fraser previously indicated that he wanted Scottish Conservatives to split from the UK party although has since changed his mind on the issue.
Douglas Ross revealed he would quit as party leader during the General Election campaign after U-turning on his pledge not to stand as an MP.
The new leader is expected to be announced on September 27 although the UK party won’t name a successor to Rishi Sunak until November 2.
