2021 Holyrood elections: leadership 'stitch up' bid to oust sitting Tory MSP could backfire, sources warn

Tory leadership attempts to ditch a serving Lothian MSP by promoting rival candidates could backfire, sources have claimed.

Gordon Lindhurst is also standing as the candidate in Edinburgh Pentlands

Gordon Lindhurst is one of just three sitting Tory MSPs across Scotland not to receive an endorsement from a specially-appointed selection committee chaired by the party’s Holyrood leader Ruth Davidson as members and supporters begin to vote on who should get the top places on the regional lists in May’s Scottish Parliament elections.

In Lothian, endorsements have been given to the area's other two sitting MSPs, Miles Briggs and Jeremy Balfour, and also businessman Malcolm Offord, Edinburgh West candidate Susan Webber and Rebecca Fraser, who fought Midlothian at the last Westminster election.

There are currently four Tory MSPs from Lothian - the three list MSPs and Ms Davidson, who was elected in Edinburgh Central but is standing down. The expectation is the party will hold onto three list MSPs in May.

The letter from the selection committee makes clear their endorsements

This is the first time the leadership has been able to endorse those they believe to have particular merit and the move has sparked complaints of cronyism and stitch-ups. Mr Offord, who is the founder of a private equity firm, has donated £147,500 to the Conservatives, according to the Electoral Commission's website.

When the Evening News revealed the snub to Mr Lindhurst last month, a party insider said the MSP was not popular with Central Office who saw him as “not focused enough on campaigning” but overlooked his performance on scrutiny committees at Holyrood and his commitment to constituency casework. He was also chosen by members as candidate in Edinburgh Pentlands one of the party’s target constituencies.

Now it is being said that some members unhappy with the system are planning to rebel and vote for Mr Lindhurst despite the lack of leadership endorsement.

Voting papers and the letter detailing the endorsements were sent out this week.

One source said: "The system they have adopted this year is basically a Central Office stitch-up for their favourites and very undemocratic. Some members are thinking the party's attempt to get rid of Gordon Lindhurst may backfire as people can see what is going on."

Ms Davidson has previously said her committee were tasked with identifying the most effective mix of experience and new blood to deliver the strongest possible Holyrood team.

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