Bid to split Scots Tories from UK party would be 'damaging' claims MSP

A former supporter of plans for a Scottish Conservative breakaway party has warned it would divide members and switch off supporters.

Tory MSP Miles Briggs, who previously backed Murdo Fraser’s proposal to set up a centre-Right party in 2011, said the plan would damage prospects in the next Holyrood election. 

He also announced he would back any leadership bid by MSP Russell Findlay, who said the party needs to set out ‘the positive case for a modern, popular Conservatism’.

It comes after Lord Michael Forsyth, the former Secretary of State for Scotland, warned a split would be a ‘crazy idea’ and urged MSPs to focus on policies.

Mr Briggs, the party’s spokesman on equalities, housing and social security, told the Mail: ‘It’s not realistic to set up the Caledonians – or any kind of breakaway party – in the 20 months we have ahead of the next Scottish parliament elections.

‘I backed a new party in the past but at this time it could be very damaging to our prospects in the Holyrood election that is just around the corner. 

What we need to do now is regroup and focus on how we make a positive case for change from 17 years of failure under the SNP and what will be a mid-term Labour Government in 2026.

‘Splitting the party would naturally divide Conservatives and switch off Unionist supporters and that’s the opposite of what we need right now.’

Writing on Thursday in the Mail, Mr Findlay set out the need for a ‘hard reset’ after the General Election, which saw the Tories fall from six MPs to five in Scotland and its vote share almost halved to 12.7 per cent.

He said voters had told him of concerns about a ‘lack of positive vision stretching back years’ in the party, and said it had ‘focused too much on what we are opposed to’.

Mr Briggs said: ‘I read Russell Findlay’s piece in the Mail and found myself agreeing with him that we need to change, but change in a way that delivers for voters in every part of Scotland who want better public services and exciting new policies.

‘As a Lothian MSP I want to see the party focus on the policies which can deliver for people and reconnect the party to Central Belt communities.

‘Russell talks about Conservative values bedded in aspiration. I agree. I’m passionate that we lead a new debate on how we help Scots who want to own their own home to realise that dream.

‘The SNP have pulled up the ladder for first-time buyers by abolishing help-to-buy schemes – I want to see the Scottish Conservatives making home ownership a reality again for all Scots.

‘We also need to be honest that we are not connecting with younger voters and that is a demographic timebomb for the party.’

Party finance spokesman Liz Smith, who backed Mr Fraser’s 2011 leadership bid, has said he ‘probably will stand’ for the leadership and ‘a separate party has to be part of the mix’.

Mr Briggs is the first MSP to speak out against any bid to revive the breakaway party plan and back Mr Findlay, who has not yet confirmed he will stand in a leadership contest.

The Lothians MSP said: ‘I know friends and family members who very much share my Conservative principles but have never voted for the party.

‘They want a positive agenda on how we will work to take Scotland forward – that’s what I want and what I think will make the difference to build support for the party.

‘Russell is also right in his assessment that we must tell people what we stand for and bring them together around a positive case for a modern, popular Conservatism.

‘Russell has hugely impressed colleagues across the chamber since his election and has a lot to offer. If he stands to be leader, I would support his vision of a party that champions opportunity and aspiration.’