Borders MSP Rachael Hamilton has announced she will back Russell Findlay MSP to lead the Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party.
The Scottish Conservative leadership contest has started, with voting set to begin at the start of September and close at the end of the month.
Russell Findlay MSP has already gained the public support of 11 Scottish Conservative MSPs and MPs, alongside dozens of councillors.
Russell was an investigative journalist for 30 years for national newspapers and a national broadcaster.
In 2015, he survived an acid attack on his doorstep from a hitman sent by an organised crime gang who took exception to his journalism.
Russell became an MSP in 2021 and is currently the Scottish Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Justice.
Supporters are encouraged to sign up to join Russell's campaign by visiting his website: https://russellforchange.nationbuilder.com/
Scottish Borders MSP, Rachael Hamilton, said: "I'm delighted to support Russell Findlay to change our party for the better and get us back on the path to winning again in Scotland.
"Russell has set out a positive Conservative vision to improve the lives of people up and down Scotland.
"He has put forward a common-sense Conservative policy platform that champions aspiration, opportunity and decency.
"Russell is tough enough to take on the SNP and Labour, and bring voters back from Reform.
"He's got the determination and character to bring people together.
"Russell is not a career politician. He was a successful investigative journalist for many years and he's got the life experience to lead effectively.
"Our party can’t turn inward at this difficult time, we need a leader who can unite the Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party and reach out to win over the public.
"Russell would keep our party together and unite Conservatives behind his positive vision. I'll be supporting him to lead our party and I would encourage other party members to do so too."
Notes
Russell has published several policy proposals in recent weeks.
His education paper, a Curriculum for Aspiration, is here: https://bit.ly/EducationRFProposal
His housing paper, Opportunity to Own, is here: https://bit.ly/OpportunityToOwn
His economic ideas, a Business Plan for Prosperity, is here: https://bit.ly/RFBusinessProposal
His Transparency Bill proposal is here: https://bit.ly/RFTransparencyBill
And his ideas to empower Conservative grassroots members are here - https://bit.ly/RFgrassroots
