Tory leader plans to find new members

NEW Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson is expected to announce a recruitment drive as one of her first priorities after winning the closely-fought contest to succeed Annabel Goldie.

Ms Davidson, who has only been an MSP for six months, beat former deputy leader Murdo Fraser by 2983 votes to 2417 after the other two candidates, Jackson Carlaw and Margaret Mitchell, were eliminated.

Mr Fraser had argued the party in its current form was “not fit for purpose” and proposed launching a new centre-right party. Only two Tory MSPs backed Ms Davidson in the contest.

After her victory Ms Davidson said: “I want all my colleagues to play a big part in the very bright future I see for the party.

“I want to bring our members at all levels much closer together and take our party forward. I also want to get a few more members to join us.”