Scottish Conservatives Name New Deputy Leader

New Deputy Leader Rachael Hamilton Insists Tories Can Change Business Outlook

Borders politician Rachael Hamilton has insisted that she will continue to fight for Borders businesses and effect real change after being named as the new deputy leader for the Scottish Conservatives.

Former journalist Russell Findlay won the party’s recent leadership race, comfortably beating Murdo Fraser and Meghan Gallacher, and one of his first acts was to name Mrs Hamilton as his deputy. She told us: “I feel honoured to become the new Deputy Leader for the Conservatives in Scotland. It’s a real privilege to be working with Russell. Russell and I get on very well; he’s personable, he’s approachable and, like me, he’s not
from the political bubble, and we want to use that experience to change the Conservatives in Scotland.

“I am quite a good multi-tasker, which you learn to be as a mum of three children and with a background in farming and business, and I would like to think my constituents would agree that I have worked hard championing issues in the Borders.

“That’s not going to change. I will still be as committed to the Borders and ensuring the area has a strong voice in the Scottish Parliament, and we have clear ideas onhow we can influence government in Scotland to better understand and improve the landscape for business.

“We’ve remained very strong in terms of support for Conservatism because we’re predominantly a rural area, with a lot of farming interests and small businesses here,and I think the Scottish Conservatives represent some of the same values and expectations as people in the Borders and across the whole of the south of Scotland.”

She stepped into politics in 2016 as a party list MSP, and won the 2017 by-election for the Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire seat when John Lamont stood down to become an MP. She has since held shadow cabinet portfolios for tourism and small business, rural economy and tourism, social security and older people, equalities and, currently, rural affairs and islands.

When Douglas Ross announced his intention to resign as Scottish Conservatives leader, she threw her support behind Findlay. Asked why she wanted the no2 job, and what she might bring to it, Hamilton said: “Having come from outwith the political bubble and having real-life experience of dealing with customers and working with farmers, I’ve really enjoyed being in parliament and standing up for my constituents in Holyrood and I believe I’ve got a lot more to give.

“We want to see thriving businesses, growing the economy, making sure people can get a good education, and making sure that people can get on the housing ladder. Where we’re coming from is that we want to bring the common sense back to politics.

“For example, Borders business at the moment is having a challenge with recruiting skilled labour so one of the areas we could look at is making sure the tax system is brought into line with the rest of the UK.
“A lot of people are paying more tax if they’re earning more than £28,000 and that’s putting off people coming to work and live in the Borders. We want to make it equitable so that we’re an attractive place to do business. I think removing some of the red tape and regulation that is foisted on business is really important.

“Also, I’d like us to look at a reform of business rates. Business rates at the moment are all over the place and we need to find ways to make our high streets thrive across the whole of the Borders, and help people to feel willing and enthusiastic about starting up a business and not frightened of it.”