Russell Findlay has vowed to always keep his promises in his first act as the new leader of the Scottish Conservatives.
Following his romp to victory in the leadership race on Friday, the West of Scotland MSP said he was determined to restore integrity to politics.
The former investigative journalist blasted the ‘hollow’ promises made by politicians, including ‘shameless freebie king’ Sir Keir Starmer, who claimed he would keep winter fuel payments for the elderly before he was elected.
He also pointed to the SNP’s failure to deliver for young people, including in education and helping them find work.
It comes as Mr Findlay yesterday appointed Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire MSP Rachael Hamilton as the party’s deputy leader – someone he said had ‘consistently stood up for people who feel nobody at Holyrood represents them’.
New Scots Tory leader Russell Findlay
Writing in today’s Scottish Mail on Sunday, he vowed to do better than his colleagues, saying: ‘You can hold me to that.’
He added: ‘The fact is that a huge number of folk barely believe a word politicians say any more.
‘Frankly, I don’t blame them. I understand why they feel that way – and that’s what I’m determined to change.’
Mr Findlay, who secured 2,565 votes to become leader of his party on Friday, ahead of main rival Murdo Fraser, who achieved 1,187 votes, said: ‘Much of what happens in the corridors of the Scottish parliament is far removed from how things work in the real world.
‘Holyrood parliamentarians – SNP and Labour – often make over-the-top promises which they know they won’t ever come close to delivering.
‘Most of these charmless grifters are not willing or able to knuckle down and get on with the hard and unglamorous graft of delivering.’
Rachael Hamilton was appointed to the deputy role
In a message to the public as Holyrood gears up for a Scottish parliament election in 2026, Mr Findlay said his newly reinvigorated party would offer ‘real change’.
He said: ‘We will be a common-sense alternative, dedicated to raising standards across our public services, growing our economy, and leaving more money in your pocket.’
Ms Hamilton said she was ‘privileged’ to be appointed to the deputy role and was ‘excited to get to work’.
