Jackson Carlaw: Scottish Tories are the alternative to SNP 'failure', says new leader

The Scottish Conservatives will be a clear alternative to Nicola Sturgeon and her "morally and politically bankrupt" Scottish Government, new leader Jackson Carlaw has vowed.

He said he is determined the Tories will oust the SNP from power in the 2021 Scottish Parliament election, insisting the nationalists are "failing" Scotland after 13 years in office.

After being elected as the new Tory leader in Scotland, Mr Carlaw said the SNP are "there to be replaced and I am determined Scottish Conservatives will do that".

Almost 60% of the party's 10,911 "eligible electors" cast their vote in the contest.

Mr Jackson insisted he has a clear mandate from the party to "make the changes required to lead us into the election next year".

Mr Jackson will start making appointments to his top team immediately - and is also scheduled to speak to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the UK Conservative Party leader, on Friday afternoon.

After the policy review, Mr Jackson said he will then ask "the people of Scotland to elect a Scottish Conservative government as the largest party at Holyrood in 2021.

He added: "In those circumstances I would hope to be the first minister delivering on that alternative programme.

"The result today demonstrates I have the clear confidence of the party. I have a bigger share of the vote than Boris Johnson achieved in his leadership election, I have a bigger share of the vote than Ruth Davidson achieved, a bigger share of the vote than David Cameron achieved in any of the previous Conservative Party leadership elections.

"So I have a clear mandate from the party in Scotland now to make the changes required to lead us into the election next year."