Two more Tory MSPs endorse Tom Tugendhat to be Conservative Leader

• Two more Scottish MSPs announce they are endorsing Tom Tugendhat’s bid to become the next Leader of the Conservative Party
• They argue that they’re supporting Tom because he understands the challenges facing Scotland including those around food and energy security, rural communities, and Scotland’s farmers and fishing industries
• Joining the eight Conservative MSPs who endorsed Tugendhat earlier this week, demonstrating the strength of support he’s building across Scotland

Two more Members of the Scottish Parliament – Brian Whittle MSP and Alexander Stewart MSP – have announced that they are backing Shadow Security Minister, Tom Tugendhat MP to be the next Leader of the Conservative Party, bringing his total MSP support to 10.

Reiterating their colleagues’ comments, the two MSPs said they want to see an end to 17 years of nationalist SNP rule that has led to failing public services and a government distracted by unnecessary constitutional debates. Scotland needs a government that serves the Scottish people and delivers on their priorities. They believe Tom is the only candidate who will help deliver this. 

Celebrating Tom’s passion for Scotland and the wider Union, they said that he is the only candidate who has spent the time needed to understand the challenges facing Scotland, including those surrounding energy security, fisheries, farming and rural communities. Likewise, he is the only candidate who has taken the time to meet with Scottish Conservative Party members, regularly campaign in the country and attend Scottish Conservative Party Conference multiple times. 

The MSPs explained they wanted someone who would not only protect and fight for the Union, but understood that if Scotland fails, everyone across the United Kingdom would feel the consequences. With Tugendhat as Leader, they argue they would always have a champion for the Union – and the priorities of Scotland – at the helm in Westminster.

As a soldier, Tugendhat spent over 10 years keeping the entire United Kingdom safe before entering Parliament. He was one of the first MPs to warn about the threat of Russia and China. As Security Minister, he was responsible for the National Security Act, which resulted in Britain arresting and charging more Russian and Chinese spies in his time as Minister than in the previous decade.

The MSPs said they were supporting Tom as they know he will deliver for the Scottish people, ensuring energy security and economic rejuvenation, and support rural communities, including Scotland’s cherished farming and fishing industries. 

Tom recognises that the Conservative Party has been undermined by infighting and factionalism in Westminster, which led to a failure to deliver and a breakdown in trust with the public. He has made it clear that this leadership election is about choice. A choice between drawing a line under the infighting and a future focused on uniting the Party and rebuilding it around core Conservative values. He argues that people across the United Kingdom deserve better and as Leader of the Conservative Party, he promised to rebuild our party, regain trust and beat Labour at the next election.

The MSPs outlined that they want a leader who will end the infighting in Westminster and return the Party to traditional conservative values, something Tugendhat has always fought for, including when he voted against Covid vaccine passports and did not support the National Insurance rise.

 They also believe the Scottish people rejected the SNP in a sign they want to move on from the independence debate and want their government to focus on delivery. As a man who delivers on his promises and can unite the party, the MSPs argue thatTom will be an electoral asset for the Scottish Conservatives at the next 2026 Holyrood elections. They believe Scotland deserves better and that Tugendhat will take the Scottish Conservatives and Scotland into a new era. 

In a joint statement, Brian Whittle MSP and Alexander Stewart MSP said: “We are proud to join eight of our Conservative MSP colleagues who are endorsing Tom Tugendhat to be the next Leader of the UK Conservative Party. 

“Together with our colleagues, we represent all parts of the Scottish Party and recognise the need to have a Conservative Leader at the helm in Westminster who not only champions our successes, but also recognises that if any part of the Union fails, we all fail. 

“Tom is that Leader. He is a man of principle, service and duty. Someone who says what he will do, then gets it done. Someone who knows that Scottish people deserve more, who will champion our nation and is an asset to the Party in Scotland. He understands the challenges our nation faces and will offer real solutions. 

“The journey ahead of us is immense. But, this is our opportunity to reset our Party under a new leader who can take the fight to the SNP. Under Tom’s leadership, we can win the hearts and minds of the Scottish people at the Holyrood elections in 2026 and local elections the following year.”

Welcoming the MSPs’ support, Tom Tugendhat said: “It is an absolute privilege to have Brian and Alexander backing me to be the next Leader of the Conservative and Unionist Party. 

“I am thrilled to have their support, along with  8 of their Conservative MSP colleagues, who announced their support for me earlier this week.  

“Unionism is indivisible from Conservatism and as the Conservative Leader, I promise to always fight for the Union and deliver on the priorities of the Scottish people.”