Russell Findlay refuses to say if he would vote for Donald Trump or Kamala Harris

Scots Tory leader Russell Findlay has refrained from disclosing his preference in the US presidential election between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. Amid the highly anticipated presidential contest, Findlay, a West of Scotland MSP, remains the sole party leader not to publicly support the Democratic candidate. The race to succeed President Biden has generated global interest, with concerns mounting over potential legal challenges from Trump should he lose. The former president has persistently disputed his defeat to Biden in 2020 and alleged electoral malpractice in the current election. Notably, Trump has faced legal troubles, being convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records.

Despite positioning himself as a proponent of law and order, Findlay has not distanced himself from Trump, a convicted felon. When questioned by the Daily Record during the previous Scottish Tory leadership contest in August, Findlay declined to indicate his choice between Trump and Harris, emphasising his focus on Scottish affairs. In contrast, other party leaders have rallied behind Harris, with First Minister John Swinney and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar endorsing the Democratic candidate. Swinney highlighted the significance of voting for Harris, particularly in opposition to Trump’s stance on Scottish independence, while Sarwar emphasized the need for a unifying figure in global leadership.

While Findlay remains impartial, the right-wing figure he previously supported for the UK Tory leadership, Liz Truss, has expressed her support for Trump. Truss, whose leadership was fraught with challenges, has voiced her preference for the Republican nominee. Meanwhile, Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton and Green co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater have actively endorsed Kamala Harris.

In a politically charged atmosphere, Findlay’s silence on the US election reflects a strategic choice that distinguishes him from his counterparts within the Scottish political landscape. As the election unfolds, the absence of Findlay’s endorsement underscores the complexities of international relations and the nuanced dynamics shaping political affiliations in contemporary times.