A SCOTTISH Tory MP has backed former minister Tom Tugendhat for the next leader of the Conservatives – saying he “gets Scotland” and will “fight for our Union”.

Harriet Cross, the MP for Gordon and Buchan, said the former foreign affairs committee chair and security minister was “the best hope for our party” to win back voters after July’s humbling election defeat.

Polling over the weekend found that Tugendhat was the most popular Tory leadership candidate among the public.

A YouGov poll for The Times showed he had a net favourability rating of minus 12 – the best among a deeply unpopular Tory frontbench.

But separate research found that former home secretary James Cleverly (above) is the most popular among party members, supported by 26% of the Tory rank and file. Cleverly has also been endorsed by former Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson. 

His predecessor but one, Priti Patel came in second place with 20%, while former business secretary Kemi Badenoch was on 14%.

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Tugendhat, who was seen during his time in government as a Tory centrist, had the backing of just 11% of Tory members, who get the final say on the next party leader after a series of votes by MPs to whittle down the shortlist to two finalists.

In opposition, Tugendhat (below) has tried to toughen up his image to appeal to the Tory membership and has strayed close to accusing the police of a “two-tier” approach in response to the riots earlier this month.

Cross said that if Tugendhat was Tory leader “the Union will always have a champion”.

In a statement, she said: “As a newly elected MP for the Conservative and Unionist Party, it is my duty to support a leader who will protect and fight for our Union. With Tom at the helm of the Conservative Party, the Union will always have a champion.

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“This is because Tom gets Scotland. He has taken the time to attend multiple Scottish Conservative conferences, and meet local associations and members. He is someone who cherishes the Union and wants all its nations to succeed.

“As part of the new generation of Conservatives, I want a leader who will take forward traditional conservative values for the Party to unite around, and promise we deliver for all nations. I know that Tom Tugendhat is a man of his word. When he promises something, he delivers. And in ensuring our party rebuilds trust with the voters of Scotland on a Conservative platform, Tom Tugendhat is the best hope for our party.”

Tugendhat added: “It is great to have the support of my friend Harriet. Canvassing with her on the doorsteps, I know she will be a great champion for Gordan [sic] and Buchan and Scotland in Westminster.

“I am thrilled to have her support. Unionism is indivisible from Conservatism and I promise to always fight for the people of Scotland and the Union.”