Scottish Tories must present an attractive programme backed by a unified, proactive, ideas-led team

Long-term thinking is needed to shape Scotland into the nation we all want to see

The recent general election was sobering for the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party.
Our vote share halved. And the fact is during the devolution era we have failed to gain above 24 per cent vote share at a Holyrood election.
Going into 2026, we have to present the people of Scotland with a genuinely Conservative programme which gives them a reason to vote for us while also showing a unified, proactive, ideas-led team which presents a realistic path to power.
Today, I offer myself for nomination as party leader because under my leadership, we would do both.
During my eight years as an MSP, I have observed that all parties in the Scottish Parliament, including our own, think in silos and adopt a “whack-a-mole” approach to issues.
Short-term solutions and temporary fixes dominate. There is a terrifying lack of deeply considered, long-term, cross-portfolio thinking.
Under my leadership, the Scottish Conservatives will start from the future: a 15-year vision of what a vibrant, prosperous UK and world-leading Scotland will be.
At the centre of our agenda will be this question: what are we trying to achieve, and what does the Scotland that we all want look like?
We must then work back from that vision and forensically examine how it can be achieved and show the electorate that it is Conservative philosophy and principles underpinning the realisation.
These are philosophies and principles I believe the population share.
For example, by creating a thriving economy, in which young people see a future, entrepreneurs are given the backing to create, and businesses the support and confidence to start, grow and prosper – unhindered by the eye-watering taxes, red tape and barriers to aspiration we see all too often in Scotland.
Such an economy will support public services and define the skills we need to succeed. 
In turn, that informs the curriculum that our schools are teaching, as well as how we properly resource and provision them, and showcases the necessity of properly funded and resourced colleges and universities.
And it requires a laser-focus on the significant and deep-rooted social issues which present so many underlying challenges, with bespoke solutions crafted rather than universally imposed in the hope of results.
By presenting that vision of a better Scotland, alongside a holistic, evidence-based, “what-works” strategy to deliver, the people of Scotland will look again at the Scottish Conservatives and give us the chance to work in government.
But the leader cannot and should not do it alone.
MSP Stephen Kerr recently talked of our party having a “cult of the supreme leader… too much power in too few hands, too many feeling they are outside the tent and their voices aren’t being heard…”.
Our current MSP crop will present the proposition to the electorate in 2026. It is a group of experienced, impressive MSPs, most of whom boast life, business and social experience far beyond that of other parties’ MSPs. We must harness that.
In my working life so far, I have worked as a chef, session musician, painter and decorator, lawyer, university lecturer and entrepreneur.
And what I learned from all these experiences is that I do not have all the answers; and that we must constantly learn, whether from those in more senior roles, peers or more junior. 
That’s how the whole becomes more than the sum of its parts.
Under my leadership, I would cohere our talented MSP group, harnessing our individual talents to achieve the greater whole, maximising and promoting strong team working, using all talents and avoiding top-down instruction.
Doing so will not only deliver a result in 2026 but show the people of Scotland what a powerful, unified, dynamic and driven Conservative team can deliver.
Several Conservative MSP voices have spoken up already this summer and all ideas and voices, whether from MSPs, councillors or members must be listened to, never rejected out of hand without consideration.
Whether that be Jamie Greene who continues to challenge our preconceptions to ensure we do not fall into group-think; or Meghan Gallacher’s passion for – and courageous defence of – women’s issues; or Graham Simpson with his “principles, not protest”; Brian Whittle’s extraordinary experience and knowledge of how to make teams function and deliver success; Maurice Golden and the environment or Murdo Fraser’s multi-portfolio experience and laser-focus on what is important to the economy particularly.
Or Russell Findlay who has impressed in the justice portfolio he’s held during his three years in parliament. 
I do have concerns that his campaign so far could lead to a reduction in the team cohesion we need to deliver us a result in 2026, but there is no doubting his campaigning ability must be harnessed and celebrated as we move towards 2026.
I have spent many years self-reflecting, recognising my own strengths and weaknesses. 
I am not and cannot be all things to all people. But I know I can build and get the best from a team of individuals.
When I came to Holyrood eight years ago, it was to do all I could to make Scotland a better place for our people. 
It is difficult to meaningfully impact that from opposition. We owe it to the people to seek the power to change Scotland for the better using Conservative principles.
I do not covet nor crave the leadership. Until this summer’s events, it was not something I sought at all.
But with only 20 months until the election, we have little time for introspection.
I have the vision, the strategy and the ability to unify our excellent MSP cohort, with our members and our supporters, into a proposition that will deliver power and allow us to implement our policies in a way we’ve never previously been able to in the devolution era.
I feel duty-bound to step up and offer that. I simply ask the membership of our great party for the opportunity.
Liam Kerr is an MSP for North East Scotland and the Scottish Tory shadow education secretary