Scottish Tory boss Findlay reveals he voted for Badenoch as UK leader

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay has revealed that he backed Kemi Badenoch in the Tory leadership contest.

The former business secretary was declared the winner at an event in central London on Saturday, defeating rival Robert Jenrick by 53,806 votes to 41,388.

Mr Findlay said he did not back any candidates publicly as, at one point, there were six and it “seemed sensible as the newly elected leader in Scotland to keep out of it and allow that process to take place”.

However, speaking on BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland programme on Monday, he revealed that he voted for Ms Badenoch.

He said: “I voted for Kemi. I think she’s a woman of great integrity. I really admire her tenacity, I really admire the fact she isn’t afraid to say it how she sees it.

“And if that sometimes upsets people, so be it. I think people are probably a little bit sick of politicians who sit on the fence and try and be very clever with their words and I think she’s hugely refreshing.

“I think people in Scotland will see that authenticity about her.”

Mr Findlay said with a new leader of the UK Conservative party, and a new leader of the Tories in Scotland, there is a good opportunity to “reset relationships with our membership and indeed, with the wider public” and “explain to them that we understand the difficulties they face”.

He hailed Ms Badenoch’s common sense approach and said he is due to speak to her this week.

Asked whether she has given him any idea so far about what her future plans are for Scotland, he said: “My future plans are, I think, very similar to her future plans.

“She is a straight-talking politician. She understands why people feel disillusioned, and she understands that there is a real need, as I do, to reconnect with people and to show people that we understand their problems and put forward a range of common sense, conservative policies that show people we are on their side.”

Mr Findlay said the party is working hard with all eyes on the next Holyrood election in 2026 and that Ms Badenoch recognises that as a “golden opportunity”.

He said: “I think she is straight-talking.

“She has very readily (and) quickly identified where things have gone wrong and how we have a responsibility and, in fact, a golden opportunity in 2026 to put them right.

“So many people across Scotland do share our values. They do understand and sympathise with our policies, and I think it’s important that we get that message out there.”