Russell Findlay picks Rachael Hamilton as Scottish Tories deputy leader

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay has said his new deputy leader will “play a key role” in changing the party.

Findlay, who comfortably won the contest to succeed Douglas Ross as the leader of the Scottish Conservatives, appointed MSP Rachael Hamilton to the post.

She takes over from Meghan Gallacher, who had stood against Findlay for the party leadership and resigned as deputy partway through the campaign.

Hamilton, the MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, said she was “privileged” to become deputy and “excited” to be part of the party’s new leadership team.

It is Findlay’s first appointment since becoming party leader on Friday, and he said he was “delighted” Ms Hamilton would be deputy leader.

He said: “As an MSP representing rural communities in the Borders, she has always stood up for people who feel the cosy left-wing Holyrood consensus led by the SNP and Labour fails to represent them.

“Rachael will play a key role in changing our party.

“Those changes will show the Scottish Conservatives have a positive vision to reconnect with people who share our values of aspiration, opportunity and decency.

“We will champion those who feel that common sense has been lacking in our politics for too long.”

Hamilton said she was “privileged to have been chosen by Russell to take on the role of Scottish Conservative deputy leader”.

She said: “Since he joined the Scottish Parliament in 2021, I have been impressed with how Russell tells it straight and speaks to those whose lives are not dominated by political bubble issues.

“I know from speaking to my constituents in the Borders that many of them have lost trust in politics and politicians don’t understand them. Russell Findlay is different and is determined to change that.

“I’m excited to get to work and help show that the Scottish Conservatives will deliver for those who want to see politicians talking common sense, for a change.”