Russell Findlay objects to BBC question on Kemi Badenoch's popularity in Scotland

RUSSELL Findlay has refused to say what Scottish voters think of Kemi Badenoch, instead taking issue with the BBC’s question.

The Scottish Tory leader was speaking on BBC Radio Scotland ahead of Badenoch addressing his party’s conference, which begins in Edinburgh on Friday. 

Asked about how Badenoch was perceived by Scottish voters, he said: “What do I think Scots make of Kemi Badenoch? That’s a bit of a generalisation isn’t it.”

BBC host Laura Maxwell explained that she was asking if Badenoch is “popular” in Scotland, or if voters north of the Border “think she's a potential next prime minister”.

Findlay responded: “Well, the General Election is a long way off, but I mean, in politics, what is, I can't speak to popularity. I don't know.”

He then went on: “But I think she's a very credible individual. She and I are on the same page. We both understand that the party needs to change.

“She's absolutely an asset. I think people appreciate the fact she is honest, and she is respectful, and people will be able to see that what she will bring forward is a range of policies for the General Election.”

Elsewhere in the BBC interview, Findlay insisted that the Tories had chosen the right candidate for the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse – local councillor Richard Nelson – despite him having to defend his membership of the Orange Order.

Asked if Nelson had been the right choice given that the Tories finished fourth behind Reform UK, Findlay said: “I'm not going to speak on behalf of any other organisation, but I do think so.

The Tory candidate Richard Nelson was also a hypnotist (Image: Richard Nelson) “He was well respected in the local community. When I was out chapping doors with him, the recognition from people about the work he's done for them as a councillor was extraordinary and genuine and deeply felt.”

Asked how the Tories planned to tackle the rise of Reform after a fresh defection to the party earlier this week, Findlay said it was not an issue unique to the Conservatives.

He went on: “How we will tackle it is in a number of ways. First and foremost, it's putting forward what we stand for.

“We are Conservatives. We believe in rewarding hard work. We believe in lower taxation. We believe in personal responsibility.

“And we believe that Scotland is crying out for change after almost two decades of SNP misrule.

“So we will show people that we understand their concerns, we will focus on those concerns. And we will deliver to make those changes.

“What we'll also do is point out what Reform stand for or what they don't stand for.

“I mean, Nigel Farage is on the record saying that he'd be quite happy to see another SNP government. No Conservative would ever consider that to be a good thing.

“That is why, once people think about it, once we go into the 2026 election, they will see that Reform appears to stand for everything and nothing. They're trying to be all things to all people.

“We're the only credible, consistent Conservative Party in the country.”