A prominent Conservative donor has backed North East MSP Liam Kerr to become Scottish leader, arguing he would “stand up” for the area’s interests.
The Aberdeen property tycoon, Alan Massie, said Mr Kerr represented “the future” of the party and added he was prepared to give financial help to a leadership campaign should he choose to stand.
Speaking after the sudden resignation of Ruth Davidson, Mr Massie admitted her departure was a “big blow”, but claimed the party could withstand it.
He argued that Mr Kerr, a former Aberdeen lawyer who is the party’s Holyrood justice spokesman, would fight for the north-east on issues such as the punitive business rates paid by local firms.
He said: “I think somebody like Liam Kerr is the future.
“He’s an able person. He’s a lawyer, who’s doing a good job as justice spokesman. I think on business rates, for example, SNP politicians are doing nothing for the north-east. He would also stand up for the Union.”
Mr Massie, the boss of Carlton Rock property company, has donated several thousand pounds to the Conservatives during the last few months.
He had previously been a generous Labour donor, but transferred his allegiances to the Tories after concluding Ms Davidson was the best bet to safeguard the Union.
The property developer gave “several thousand” pounds to sponsor an event at the most recent Scottish Tory conference and £10,000 to Michael Gove’s leadership campaign.
Although Mr Kerr would be regarded as an outsider in the race to replace Ms Davidson, Mr Massie said: “I think it would be helpful (for Kerr to take over). It would demonstrate it is not a central based party like the SNP and Labour are.
“Liam being leader would demonstrate that the Tories are prepared to stand up for the north-east in central Scotland. Of course, I would support Liam financially.”
Ms Davidson’s resignation has resurrected moves to loosen the ties between the Scottish Conservatives and the UK party. Potential leadership candidates Murdo Fraser and Adam Tomkins have said the move should be considered.
Yesterday Mr Kerr refused to be drawn on Mr Massie’s remarks.
He said: “Alan is a huge supporter of what we are doing in the north-east.
“The most important thing right now is to get behind (interim leader) Jackson (Carlaw) and continue to stand against the SNP’s obsession with breaking the Union apart.”