THE Scottish Conservatives have appointed a new MSP after one of their representatives quit Holyrood.
Dean Lockhart, who was elected as an MSP from the Mid Scotland and Fife list in 2021, has stepped down from the Scottish Parliament.
He will be replaced by Roz McCall, a former Scottish Tory councillor in Perth and Kinross who stepped down at the 2022 local elections.
McCall also stood for the Tories in Dunfermline at the 2021 Holyrood elections, but failed to win a seat. She won 6314 votes, coming behind Labour’s Julie MacDougall on 11,384 and SNP minister Shirley-Anne Somerville who won 20,048 votes.
At the 2021 vote, the Tories returned 31 MSPs. The new appointment means that number will hold steady, with no by-election being held.
McCall said: “I am delighted and honoured to join the Scottish Conservative MSPs in Holyrood.
READ MORE: Tory party chairman quits just hours after Liz Truss wins party leadership race
“As an MSP I will work to reverse the erosion of local democracy, to hold the SNP government to account, and to provide alternative, new and imaginative, positive policies to benefit the people of Mid Scotland and Fife, and Scotland as a whole.”
McCall's arrival follows the usual procedure when a list MSP steps down.
Lockhart (above), who has served as an MSP since 2016, has left to pursue a career in the private sector. The Scottish Tories said he would be working “with a UK-based business organisation that works with governments, local authorities and third sector bodies to deliver net-zero targets”.
Lockhart said: “It has been an absolute privilege to represent the people and region of Mid Scotland and Fife over the past six years.
“Given the vital importance of addressing climate change and delivering on net zero targets, I have decided to accept an offer to join a business organisation that works together with governments, local authorities and third sector bodies, and that will help finance and deliver net-zero targets across the UK.
“I would also like to express my sincere thanks to Douglas Ross for his outstanding leadership and support, and to wish him and all my colleagues all the very best for the future.”
Scottish Conservative leader Ross said: “I would like to thank Dean for his sterling work in the parliament, and wish him well in his new venture, where he will continue his work in tackling the challenges of climate change.
“I look forward to working with Roz, who will now continue her long-standing efforts to deliver real improvements in people’s daily lives from Holyrood.
“Like the rest of the Scottish Conservative group, she will work tirelessly to hold this SNP administration to account and focus on the real priorities of Scotland’s people.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel