Moray's MSP Richard Lochhead predicts 'a tough gig' for new Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross

Richard Lochhead has congratulated Douglas Ross – but warned his political opponent he faces a 'tough gig'

Responding to today's announcement that Moray's MP has been elected leader of the Scottish Conservatives, the region's MSP said: "I congratulate Douglas Ross on becoming leader of the Conservative Party in Scotland following the short lived tenure of his predecessor.

"He will find that his latest job of lifting the unpopular Tories out of the doldrums and being Boris Johnson’s henchman in Scotland and Moray is going to be a tough gig.

"The Scottish Conservatives always side with the UK Government irrespective of the impact of their right wing and heartless policies on local families, the vulnerable, and communities.

"This is why the Tories lost more than half of their Scottish seats at the last election and why Mr Ross’s own majority was decimated.

"You can change the captain, but it’s the ship that’s the problem.

"There is nothing in Mr Ross’s track record that suggests he is going to make the Tory brand any less toxic in Scotland.

"If anything his voting record in Westminster will come back to haunt him time and time again because it speaks volumes about his priorities.

"Scotland is on the move and wants to chart a different path to escape the grip of the UK Government so Mr Ross’s message that we need to keep the status quo and trust Boris Johnson is not going to save the Tories."

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