Goldie likely leader of Scottish Tories
Annabel Goldie is most likely to be the new leader of the Scottish Tories after a deal was struck with her only rival.
The deal, announced just hours after the nomination process got under way, would mean that Ms Goldie would get the top job, with Murdo Fraser as her deputy.
Former leader David McLetchie resigned on Monday after a prolonged row about expense claims.
The close for nominations is not until next Tuesday, but with Mr Fraser’s switch from rival to running-mate, Ms Goldie remains the only contender.
But she denied an unopposed takeover next week would deprive Scottish Tory grassroots members of a proper debate about the future policies and direction of the party, making clear her belief that such a leadership was in the best interests of the party.
Ms Goldie told Newsnight Scotland: “What was crystal clear was that in the aftermath of David’s resignation, I certainly felt it desirable for the sake of the group and the party that the position be consolidated as quickly as possible.”
She added: “The group was perfectly at liberty to find someone else to create a contest if it wanted to do that, but in fact Murdo and I both detected that the overwhelming feeling of the group is to make this transition as seamless as possible.”
As deputy leader, Ms Goldie has already been standing in for Mr McLetchie since his resignation, and is regarded as one of Holyrood’s most able debaters, while 40-year-old Mr Fraser is very much a rising star.
But with Mr Fraser the more right-wing candidate of the two, some who would have supported him expressed disappointment at the decision.
Fellow Tory MSP Brian Monteith said: “In my opinion there was never the prospect of any other Tory MSP than Murdo attracting enough nominations to make a leadership contest with Annabel credible or worthwhile.”
And the Scottish National party (SNP) accused the Scottish Conservatives of being “disparate and desperate”.
SNP Holyrood leader Nicola Sturgeon said: “The fact that the Tories don’t appear capable of having a real leadership contest shows either a fear of internal democracy, or a dearth of real talent within their parliamentary group.”
The Scottish Tories are currently the third largest party in the Scottish parliament, and have struggled to increase their numbers.
