Party Profiles is a series of interviews with candidates and political heavyweights heading into the 2026 Scottish Government Election. Politicians all want to win you over, but who really has young people’s interests at heart?
The Scottish Conservatives are going into the 2026 Holyrood election after spending 10 years as the party of opposition, with economic growth, education and opposition to independence as their key priorities.
“I think we’ve been a very effective opposition… We’ve made our presence known, even as one minority in a chamber of minorities.”
This is what Stephen Kerr, current Conservative regional MSP and former MP for Stirling, told Brig when we sat down for an interview.
The Scottish Conservatives have been the primary party of opposition since 2016, under Ruth Davidson, and are now led by Russell Findlay, regional MSP for West Scotland.
Kerr described the party as “The bulwark of opposition” and believes the Scottish party has a far more positive and respected image than the UK party in Westminster.
What Can The Party Offer Young People?
When asked about young people, Kerr immediately went to education.
“Conservatives believe in creating equal opportunities, and the key to that is education.”
“We believe in equality of opportunity but not equality of outcome.”
He spoke about how the party opposed cuts to higher education spending while in opposition.
“The priority should be the economy, but to have that, you need education and you need healthcare. You need a holistic view, but the core for that needs to be the economy.”
Kerr believes that the government must have a “medium-term” strategy for economic growth and that that strategy will benefit young people.
“We’re going to put the economy first as it’s the engine that gets the country moving. We’ve got a lot to say about education and about health, but the economy is how we get that happening”
The party’s key strategy is based on boosting economic growth and investment to bolster the economy and supporting public spending through that growth rather than increasing taxes.
On issues like the housing crisis or rent controls, Kerr continued speaking about promoting growth as the solution to these issues.
“We are not a party that believes in rationing success or opportunity.”
Independence and the SNP
“It’s the only thing he’s (John Swinney) got in his toolbag, they are a clapped out, tired, idealist party the SNP.”
Kerr believes that independence would be damaging for Scotland, “it doesn’t solve anything, it makes them worse.”
“I don’t believe opportunities for young Scots are limited by being part of the most successful union in world history.”
The party have always been opposed to Scottish Independence and was the biggest voice in the No campaign back in 2014.
Kerr claimed that going independent would result in public finances taking a massive hit, resulting in either spending cuts or tax rises.
He also stressed the social and societal interconnectivity of the UK as a reason to oppose independence.
“This is not about economics, really; it’s about family, there’s hardly a Scottish family that doesn’t have English relatives… we’re so intertwined on these islands. We’re a union of families more than anything else. I don’t want borders”
How the Conservatives differ from Reform
“Reform are not a conservative party” was Kerr’s immediate response when asked about how the parties differ.
“They offer simplistic slogan politics. What’s their policy beyond a slogan and a grievance? The SNP and Reform are similar like that.”
“Massive tax cuts plus massive public spending, higher public spending than Jeremy Corbyn. It’s just fantasy stuff they come up with.”
Specifically regarding Reforms comments on immigration he said, “it’s just rhetoric (and) populism, it’s easy.”
He emphasised that Conservative values are about lightening regulations and pursuing practical political solutions to allow people to thrive.
“A pragmatic conservative approach is what we need. You need to be value based and reform don’t have that.”
A Word to Young People
When asked why young people should care about Scottish Politics, Kerr said, “Nearly all the decisions that impact their daily lives are happening in Scotland. Nearly everything is devolved… If you care about Scotland then this is an election to take an interest in, with an open mind”
He ended our interview saying, “I find it frustrating, there is a strong leftward leaning in Scotland. The parties are all a different shade of socialist and the conservative viewpoint isn’t being properly communicated by us or maybe people aren’t willing to listen.
When policies are blind tested it’s remarkable how many people pick the conservative policy. Not because it’s populist, but because it’s principled and it works.”
More Party Profiles can be found here.
Featured Image Credit: Scottish Conservatives
Features Editor and Head of Podcasting.
Fourth-year Journalism and Politics student.
Primarily focus of Politics, Technology, Gaming and Pop-Culture
