February 2020 Scottish Conservatives leadership election

Last updated

February 2020 Scottish Conservative Party leadership election
Flag of Scotland.svg
←  2011 1–13 February 2020 (2020-02-01 – 2020-02-13) August 2020  →
  JacksonCarlawMSP.jpg MichelleBallantyneMSP.jpg
Candidate Jackson Carlaw Michelle Ballantyne
Delegate votes4,9171,581
Percentage75.7%24.3%
Leader before election

Ruth Davidson
Jackson Carlaw (Acting)

Elected Leader

Jackson Carlaw

The February 2020 Scottish Conservative Party leadership election was the fourth internal party election to elect the next leader of the Scottish Conservatives, part of the British Conservative Party and the second-largest political party in the devolved Scottish Parliament. Ruth Davidson, who won the previous leadership election in 2011, resigned on 29 August 2019. Two candidates contested the election: Jackson Carlaw MSP (Member of the Scottish Parliament), who served as the Scottish Conservatives' interim leader, [1] and Michelle Ballantyne MSP. Carlaw was seen as the favourite in the contest, and won the endorsement of most of the party's MSPs and MPs (Members of Parliament). [2] Carlaw won the election on 14 February 2020, winning more than three-quarters of the votes of party members.

Contents

The leadership election was expected to take place in late 2019, but was delayed due to the 2019 United Kingdom general election. Carlaw represented the Conservatives in the two Scottish televised debates during the election campaign. [3]

Background

On 28 August 2019, the Scottish Sun reported that Ruth Davidson was 'on the verge of resigning' due to disagreements with the leader of the Conservative Party, Boris Johnson, and the pressure with motherhood after giving birth to her first child in October 2018. [4] On the next day, Ruth Davidson confirmed her resignation and said she would remain as an MSP until 2021. At the same time, the deputy leader of the Scottish Conservatives, Jackson Carlaw, who previously stood in for Davidson during her maternity leave, was announced as the interim leader of the party ahead of the leadership election. [5]

On 1 September, Adam Tomkins proposed that if he was ever to stand and be elected as leader, he might propose a new party to replace the Scottish Conservatives to create a pro-union alliance party made up of Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrats MSPs. However, he said that if Murdo Fraser stood, he wouldn't.

The Herald reported that a permanent leader might not be in office until 2020, citing divisions on Brexit and the possibility of an early UK general election. The UK Parliament subsequently legislated for a general election to be held on 12 December 2019, which delayed the Scottish Conservative leadership election until early 2020. [6] Carlaw served as interim leader during the election campaign, and represented the party during both of the Scottish television debates. [6] [3] In the 2019 general election the Conservatives won six seats in Scotland, losing seven of the 13 they had won in 2017. [7]

This loss in Scotland contrasted with a strong performance in England and Wales, which meant that the party won an overall majority of 80. [7] There was a growing feeling that following what had been a surprisingly good result for the Conservative Party, Jackson Carlaw would be elected leader with no opposition.

Many senior Conservatives felt that with Holyrood elections coming up it would be better to avoid a contest and focus on uniting against the SNP. [8]

Candidates

CandidateBornPolitical officeCampaignRef.
MichelleBallantyneMSP.jpg
Michelle Ballantyne 		28 November 1962
(age 61)		Social security spokesperson(since 2018)
MSP for South Scotland (since 2017)		 MichelleBallantyne2020-recreated.png
Campaign 		[8]
JacksonCarlawMSP20110509.JPG
Jackson Carlaw 		12 April 1959
(age 65)		Acting leader of the Scottish Conservatives (since 2019)
MSP for Eastwood (since 2016)
MSP for West Scotland (2007–2016)		 Team-Jackson-2020-Recreated.jpg
Campaign Archived 15 February 2020 at the Wayback Machine 		[9]

Declined

Campaign

Michelle Ballantyne announced her candidacy and was soon followed by Jackson Carlaw. Carlaw gained support from all his frontbenchers and many of his backbenchers plus former backbencher and former MP Ross Thomson.

Jackson Carlaw launched his campaign on 15 January 2020, focusing on the forthcoming Scottish Parliament elections in 2021 and the next council elections in 2022, Jackson Carlaw built his campaign on wanting to spend the next eighteen months leading up to the elections at the Scottish Parliament to take down Nicola Sturgeon and the Scottish National Party in the process. Carlaw nominated Euan Waddell as his campaign manager, with MSPs Rachael Hamilton MSP and Liam Kerr MSP being co-chairs of his campaign.

The first hustings of the campaign took place in Glasgow on 24 January 2020.

Hustings

DateLocation
24 January 2020 Glasgow
25 January 2020 Moffat
26 January 2020 Perth
26 January 2020 Edinburgh
1 February 2020 Aberdeen
2 February 2020 Inverness

Result

Scottish Conservative Party leadership election, 2020
PartyCandidateFPv%Count
1
Conservative Jackson Carlaw 75.7Green check.svgY4,917
Conservative Michelle Ballantyne 24.31,581
Results of the 2020 Scottish Conservative leadership election
Jackson Carlaw
 
75.7%
Michelle Ballantyne
 
24.3%

Endorsements

Jackson Carlaw

Michelle Ballantyne

Timeline of events

2019

2020

Subsequent events

On 30 July 2020, Carlaw announced his resignation as leader of the Scottish Conservatives with immediate effect, saying it had become clear to him he was not the best person to make the case for Scotland remaining part of the United Kingdom. Carlaw had represented the Conservatives at the week's First Minister's Questions in the Scottish Parliament shortly before announcing his resignation. [31]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ken Macintosh</span> Scottish Independent politician

Kenneth Donald Macintosh is a Scottish politician who served as the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament from 2016 to 2021. Elected as a member of Scottish Labour, he suspended his party membership on becoming Presiding Officer. Macintosh was a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) from 1999 to 2021, representing the Eastwood constituency from 1999 to 2016, and then the West Scotland region from 2016 to 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scottish Conservatives</span> Part of the British Conservative Party

The Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party often known simply as the Scottish Conservatives and colloquially as the Scottish Tories is part of the UK Conservative Party active in Scotland. It currently holds 5 of the 57 Scottish seats in the House of Commons, 31 of the 129 seats in the Scottish Parliament, and comprises 209 of Scotland's 1,227 local councillors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Murdo Fraser</span> Scottish Conservative politician

Murdo MacKenzie Fraser is a Scottish politician who served as Deputy Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party from 2005 to 2011. He has been a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for the Mid Scotland and Fife region since 2001. As of 2024, he serves as Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Business, Economic Growth and Tourism, shadowing Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jackson Carlaw</span> Scottish politician (born 1959)

David Jackson Carlaw is a Scottish politician who served as Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party from February to July 2020, having acted in the position since August 2019. He previously served as Deputy Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party from 2011 to 2019. He has been a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) since 2007, first as an additional member for the West Scotland region and later for the Eastwood constituency since 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Opposition Shadow Cabinets of the Scottish Parliament</span>

Unlike in the Parliament at Westminster where there is an Official Opposition to the government of the day, all parties in the Scottish Parliament that are not in government are all technically on the same footing as 'opposition parties'. With the Scottish National Party (SNP) currently in government, the Scottish Conservatives and Scottish Labour each have a shadow cabinet composed of Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) and prospective parliamentary candidates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Scottish Parliament election</span>

The 2021 Scottish Parliament election took place on 11 May 2021, under the provisions of the Scotland Act 1998. All 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament were elected in the sixth election since the parliament was re-established in 1999. The election was held alongside the Senedd election in Wales, English local elections, London Assembly and mayoral election and the Hartlepool by-election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruth Davidson</span> Scottish politician life peer former Scottish Tory leader podcast host (born 1978)

Ruth Elizabeth Davidson, Baroness Davidson of Lundin Links,, is a Scottish politician who served as Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party from 2011 to 2019 and Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party in the Scottish Parliament from 2020 to 2021. She served as a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Glasgow from 2011 to 2016 and for Edinburgh Central from 2016 to 2021. She has been a member of the House of Lords since 2021. Davidson is co-host of Sky News podcast Electoral Dysfunction alongside Beth Rigby and Baroness Harman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 Scottish Conservatives leadership election</span> Leadership elections for Scottish Conservative party leader

The 2011 Scottish Conservatives leadership election was an internal party election to choose a new leader of the Scottish Conservatives, who at the time were the third-largest political party in the devolved Scottish Parliament. Ruth Davidson was declared the winner of the contest on 4 November 2011 and succeeded Annabel Goldie. The election was triggered when incumbent party leader Annabel Goldie resigned her position on 9 May 2011, following her party's self-described 'disappointing' result in the 2011 Scottish Parliament election, where the Conservatives were reduced from 17 seats to 15.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">5th Scottish Parliament</span> Fifth session of Scottish Parliament

This is a list of members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) who were returned to the fifth session of the Scottish Parliament. Of the 129 MSPs returned at the 2016 general election, 73 were returned from first past the post constituencies with a further 56 members returned from eight regions, each electing seven MSPs as a form of mixed member proportional representation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Annie Wells (politician)</span> Scottish Conservative politician

Carol Ann "Annie" Wells is a British politician of the Scottish Conservatives, who served as Deputy Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party to Jackson Carlaw in 2020. She has served as a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for the Glasgow region since 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Douglas Ross (Scottish politician)</span> Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party

Douglas Gordon Ross is a Scottish politician who served as Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party from 2020 to 2024 and as Leader of the Opposition in the Scottish Parliament from 2021 to 2024. He served as Member of the UK Parliament (MP) for Moray from 2017 to 2024. Ross currently serves as a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for the Highlands and Islands, having been elected as a regional list MSP in 2021. He was previously MSP for the region from 2016 to 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamie Greene</span> Scottish Conservative politician

Jamie Gillan Greene is a Scottish politician who is a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for the West Scotland region from 2016. He is a member of the Scottish Conservatives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rachael Hamilton</span> Scottish Conservative politician

Rachael Georgina Hamilton is a Scottish Conservative Party politician, who has served as the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire since 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michelle Ballantyne</span> British Reform UK politician

Michelle Lorraine Ballantyne is a British property developer, former politician and nurse who served as Leader of Reform UK Scotland from January 2021 to February 2022. She was a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for the South Scotland region from 2017 to 2021, having been elected for the Scottish Conservatives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">August 2020 Scottish Conservatives leadership election</span>

The August 2020 Scottish Conservative Party leadership election was the fifth internal party election to elect the next leader of the Scottish Conservatives, part of the British Conservative Party and the second-largest political party in the devolved Scottish Parliament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leader of the Opposition (Scotland)</span> Leader of the largest opposition party in Scotland

In the Scottish Parliament, the Leader of the Opposition is an unofficial title often used to describe the leader of the largest political party in the Scottish Parliament that is not in government. This leader has also been referred to as the Shadow First Minister.

The 2021 Scottish Labour leadership election was triggered on 14 January 2021 by the resignation of Richard Leonard as leader of the Scottish Labour Party, who had led the party since 2017. Two candidates were nominated, Anas Sarwar and Monica Lennon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shadow Cabinet of Ruth Davidson</span>

While there is no Official Opposition in Holyrood, Ruth Davidson, as leader of the largest party not in government, acts as the Leader of the Opposition. She formed her shadow cabinet following the 2016 Scottish Parliament election, where the Scottish Conservatives replaced Scottish Labour as the largest non-governing party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 Scottish Conservatives leadership election</span>

The 2024 Scottish Conservatives leadership election took place on 27 September 2024 after Douglas Ross announced his resignation on 10 June. Russell Findlay won the election and became Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party.

References

  1. ↑ Taylor, Brian (3 October 2019). "How long will Jackson Carlaw remain interim Scottish Conservative leader?". BBC News. Archived from the original on 15 February 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  2. 1 2 "Scottish Conservatives: Jackson Carlaw succeeds Ruth Davidson as leader". BBC News. 14 February 2020. Archived from the original on 15 February 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  3. 1 2 "Election 2019: Scottish party leaders clash in debate". BBC News. 3 December 2019. Archived from the original on 15 February 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2020. the Scottish Conservatives' interim leader Jackson Carlaw ... took part
  4. ↑ "Scottish Tory leader 'on verge of quitting'". BBC News. 29 August 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  5. ↑ Taylor, Brian (3 October 2019). "How long will Jackson Carlaw remain interim Scottish Conservative leader?". BBC News. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  6. 1 2 Johnson, Simon (11 December 2019). "Ruth Davidson endorses Jackson Carlaw for Scottish Tory leadership". The Telegraph. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  7. 1 2 "Scotland election results 2019: SNP wins election landslide in Scotland". BBC News. 13 December 2019. Archived from the original on 7 February 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  8. 1 2 Johnson, Simon (3 January 2020). "Scottish Tory MSP Michelle Ballantyne to stand for party leadership to ensure contest, not coronation". The Telegraph. ISSN   0307-1235 . Retrieved 5 January 2020.
  9. ↑ Carlaw, Jackson (5 January 2020). "Scottish Conservatives must build on our progress and offer alternatives". The Times. ISSN   0140-0460 . Retrieved 6 January 2020.(subscription required)
  10. 1 2 Briggs, Miles [@MilesBriggsMSP] (6 January 2020). "The next 17 months will be critical as we work to remove the tired, failed SNP from office. @ScotTories need to take the fight to the SNP and demonstrate the fresh thinking and new ideas we offer to move Scotland forward. That's why I'm backing @Jackson_Carlaw #TeamJackson" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 11 January 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2020– via Twitter.
  11. 1 2 Janiak, Kevin (8 January 2020). "Ballantyne in hunt for 100 nominations". Southern Reporter. Archived from the original on 7 February 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  12. 1 2 Fraser, Murdo [@murdo_fraser] (5 January 2020). "Good piece by ⁦@Jackson_Carlaw - he's the right person to take ⁦@ScotTories forward as we focus on the 2021 Holyrood election" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 10 January 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2020– via Twitter.
  13. 1 2 Lockhart, Dean [@DeanLockhartMSP] (6 January 2020). "Excellent article by Jackson on the way forward for @ScotTories going into 2021 Holyrood elections. We need to take the fight to this failed SNP Government and remove them from office. That is why I am backing @Jackson_Carlaw #TeamJackson" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 12 January 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2020– via Twitter.
  14. 1 2 Smith, Liz [@MspLiz] (5 January 2020). "Good piece by ⁦@Jackson_Carlaw who has my full support in leadership election" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 11 January 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2020– via Twitter.
  15. 1 2 Tomkins, Adam [@ProfTomkins] (6 January 2020). "Delighted that my friend @Jackson_Carlaw has formally announced he's running to lead the @ScotTories. He's got my vote! #TeamJackson" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 13 January 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2020– via Twitter.
  16. 1 2 Whittle, Brian [@BrianWhittle] (2 February 2020). "My choice for leader is @Jackson_Carlaw We need experience and drive to take us into 2021 elections which he has in spades!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 3 February 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2020– via Twitter.
  17. ↑ Green [@ChrisGreenNews] (5 January 2020). ".@AnnieWellsMSP not running for Scottish Tory leadership. A spokesman tells @theipaper: "Annie has been flattered by people asking her to stand but her sole focus is how we stop Nicola Sturgeon in 2021. She won't be running."" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 13 January 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2020– via Twitter.
  18. ↑ Johnson, Simon (6 January 2020). "Frontrunner Jackson Carlaw confirms he is standing for Scottish Tory leadership" . The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 7 February 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  19. ↑ Hamilton, Rachael [@Rachael2Win] (6 January 2020). "At the 2021 election, we need to take the fight to the SNP and hold their shambolic and failing government to account. That's why I'm proud to co-chair @Jackson_Carlaw's campaign as the best person who can lead us forward and beat Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP #TeamJackson" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 13 January 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2020– via Twitter.
  20. ↑ Duncan, Ian [@IanDuncanHMG] (6 January 2020). "Just posted my nomination papers for @Jackson_Carlaw to be @ScotTories leader. Right man, right time #TeamJackson" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 14 January 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2020– via Twitter.
  21. ↑ Thomson, Ross [@RossThomson_Abz] (7 January 2020). "✍🏻I have signed my nomination paper for @MBallantyneMSPto be the next @ScotTories leader. Members deserve a contest not a coronation. Michelle has the experience and the ideas to make our party a home for working people across Scotland. #BackingBallantyne #BlueCollarRevolution" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 11 January 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2020– via Twitter.
  22. ↑ Boothman, John (1 September 2019). "Boost for Fraser in bid to replace Davidson" . The Times. ISSN   0956-1382. Archived from the original on 7 February 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  23. ↑ Johnson, Simon (3 January 2020). "Scottish Tory MSP Michelle Ballantyne to stand for party leadership to ensure contest, not coronation" . The Daily Telegraph . Archived from the original on 15 February 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  24. ↑ Green, Chris (5 January 2020). "Scottish Tory leadership contenders set to face off in two-horse race". i . Archived from the original on 15 February 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2020. On Sunday Annie Wells, another MSP tipped for a leadership bid, also ruled herself out of the contest
  25. ↑ Carlaw, Jackson [@Jackson_Carlaw] (6 January 2020). "As nominations open for leader of the Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party this morning, I can confirm I'll be standing. We must take the fight to Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP, broadening our platform and diversifying our party. I'm ready for the fight. Join me #TeamJackson" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 13 January 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2020– via Twitter.
  26. ↑ "Scottish Conservative leadership contest begins". BBC News. 6 January 2020. Archived from the original on 15 February 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  27. ↑ Kerr, Andrew [@BBCandrewkerr] (14 January 2020). ".@MBallantyneMSP has now received 100+ nominations from party members - so that officially triggers a Scottish Conservative leadership contest" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 17 January 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2020– via Twitter.
  28. ↑ Scottish Conservatives [@ScotTories] (17 January 2020). "Nominations have closed in the Scottish Conservative leadership contest. @MBallantyneMSP and @Jackson_Carlaw will go forward to the ballot of members with the result being announced on the 14th of February" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 18 January 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2020– via Twitter.
  29. ↑ Taylor, Brian (20 January 2020). "'Polite zeal' at Michelle Ballantyne leadership launch". BBC News. Archived from the original on 15 February 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  30. ↑ Renton, Dawn (28 January 2020). "Grilling for leadership hopefuls Jackson Carlaw and Michelle Ballantyne". Glasgow South and Eastwood Extra. Archived from the original on 15 February 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2020. They addressed nearly a hundred party members at a hustings in the Annandale Hotel, Moffat on Saturday afternoon
  31. ↑ "Carlaw quits as Scottish Conservative leader". BBC News. 30 July 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.