Scots Tories reveal timetable for electing their new leader
next leader of the Scottish Conservatives will be announced by the end of September, it has been confirmed.
The party has unveiled its timetable for replacing Douglas leader after the management board met on wednesday night.
Aftera two-week consultation with party members, it has been decided to officially open nominations on Thursday, August 8.
Nominations will close at midday on Thursday, August 22. Hustings events with all the confirmed candidates will be arranged for after this date, as well as a national digital hustings.
Ballot papers will then be posted out to members on Wednesday, september 4, and the ballot will close at midday on Thursday, September 26. The winner will be announced the following day.
This is five weeks before a successor to Rishi Sunak as leader of the UK Conservatives is announced.
Candidates will need to secure the backing of at least 100 party members to stand for election. So far only two MSPS have said they will be standing as candidates in the leadership race.
This includes Brian Whittle MSP, who launched his leadershipbid exclusively in the scots man, and the bookies’ favourite Russell Findlay MSP.
Mr Whittle is a former Olympian, having represented Team GB at the 1988 Seoul Olympics and 1990 Auckland Commonwealthgames. he also won gold medals in the 4x400m relay at both the 1986 and 1994 Europethe an athletics championships and still coaches the next generation of athletes.
Mr find lay meanwhile worked as a journalist for 30 years at the Sunday Mail, Scottish Sun, STV andbbc, and in 2015 was targeted in an acid attack outside his home in Glasgow.
Others are expected to put their names forward for leadership, including deputy leader Meghan Gallacher, Jamie Greene and chairman Craig Hoy.
The party is going to use the preferential voting system for this election. Members will be asked to rank their chosen candidates in order of preference, and the bottom ranked candidate will be eliminated in each round of voting.
The first preference votes will then be redistributed until one candidate receives over 50 per cent of the vote.
Mr Hoy said: “Following a two-week consultation with members and elected representatives, the management board met to agree the rules and timetable for the leadership election. We look forward to an open contest where candidates will be able to outline their plans and policies at hustings to be held around Scotland in the coming weeks.
“Once candidates have had the opportunity to set out their stalls, a full ballot of our members will determine the next leader of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party.”
The Highlands and Islands MSP announced his resignation during the general election campaign after a backlash following his decision to replace David Duguid as the candidate for Aberdeenshire North and Moray East.
Mr Ross did not take part in the meeting on Wednesday evening.