LOCAL MP David Mundell has welcomed confirmation of Douglas Ross as new leader of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party.
The Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale representative described the Moray MP as "a strong and able leader -- well placed to take the party and potentially the country forward in challenging times."
Mr Mundell said: "With experience at Holyrood and Westminster and a period as a junior minister at the Scotland Office, Douglas is well qualified for his new role and is widely respected by fellow politicians and in the country.
"Representing a rural constituency, he also has a clear understanding of issues in areas like the south of Scotland as well as the major national challenges facing the country in the months and years ahead.
"He has the vision and ability to lead the party into a new era and the potential after next year's Scottish Parliament elections to provide the dynamic leadership Scotland needs as we recover from the Covid-19 crisis.
"Douglas rightfully places jobs, the economy and providing a strong voice for ALL of Scotland as a priority, rather than too much focus by the SNP on the central belt and their obsession with weakening Scotland by splitting the United Kingdom.
"I'm delighted that former leader Ruth Davidson has agreed to join Douglas' frontline team and she will be a tremendous asset."
