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Jackson Carlaw’s campaign has received a boost today as it was announced that the Highlands & Islands MSP, Mary Scanlon will be backing Jackson Carlaw. She said that she has not, “rushed to endorse anyone. I have waited to hear from all the candidates before making any decision.” Stating that she believed the party needed a leader who will bring about substantive changes in the party and who will work with all members, Scanlon said: “We need a Leader who is confident enough to work with every member of the Party, past allegiances aside and open to hearing to ideas that are different to his own. We need a Leader who understands how we can both reach out to voters and reorganise our Party. We need a Leader who believes in the Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party.”

Commenting on the endorsement, Jackson Carlaw said:

“I am delighted to have the support of Mary and Douglas particularly as it follows the first national hustings where they were able to hear from all the candidates and to make their decision based on what we each had to say and the platform we presented. In this election every vote is equal. Members have been given the chance to vote for a new leader for the very first time ever. They don’t need to be told how to use it by those, however esteemed, who have not even listened to the arguments first. Mary Scanlon’s support follows the publication of nominations for the leadership last Friday in which Jackson received support from former Government Ministers, MPs, sitting councillors and senior experienced key activists from across Scotland.”

The endorsement will come as an extra boot for Carlaw after a Tory Hoose exit poll after Saturday’s hustings gave Jackson 58% of the support.