Kemi Badenoch has declared Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay the “best person” to be Scotland’s first minister, despite the party falling to fourth in recent polling ahead of May’s Holyrood election. Speaking during a visit to Aberdeen on Friday, the UK Conservative leader praised Findlay’s “integrity” and contrasted him with other party leaders, whom she described as “away with the fairies”.
“The only poll that matters is the election, and I have here the very best person to be the first minister of Scotland,” Badenoch told journalists. “Russell Findlay is a man of integrity … He is someone who is actually grounded, working hard for the people here.”
Badenoch’s comments come as polling consistently predicts a substantial drop in seats for the Scottish Tories, with projections suggesting the party could win as few as 12 seats. The party is internally bracing for a poor result, still dealing with the fallout from the final years of Conservative rule at Westminster.
Asked whether the Scottish Tories can make a difference amid a surging Reform UK, Badenoch insisted: “We can and we will.” She concluded her two-day visit by touring an offshore training centre with Findlay and shadow Scottish secretary Andrew Bowie, highlighting discussions with the Scotch whisky and oil and gas sectors.
