At the
1999 Scottish Parliament election, Fraser was an unsuccessful candidate for
North Tayside, as he was in
2003 and
2007. He stood unsuccessfully for the
House of Commons at the
1997 general election in
East Lothian and at the
2001 general election in
North Tayside. Fraser became an MSP in 2001, after the resignation of
Nick Johnston, as next name on the Conservative Party's
Mid Scotland and Fife list. He gained a list seat in
2003,
2007, 2011, 2016 and 2021, having lost to John Swinney on each occasion in the constituency vote. Previously the convenor of the Economy, Energy, and Tourism Committee, Fraser is a member of the Finance Committee of the Scottish Parliament. He became deputy leader of the Scottish Conservatives in November 2005 when
Annabel Goldie became leader. After the
2011 election, at which 15 Conservative MSPs were elected,
Annabel Goldie triggered a leadership election by announcing that she would stand down in Autumn 2011. In June 2014, Fraser spoke in favour of reconstituting the United Kingdom on a federal basis.
Party leadership election 2011 After being elected through the party list in 2011, he announced in August his decision to seek the
leadership of the Scottish Conservative Party, and launched his campaign on 4 September in Edinburgh. His launch plans included a commitment to further devolution to the Scottish Parliament from Westminster, as well as launching a new party to redefine the politics of Scotland, harnessing the support of the centre-right, but independent of the UK Conservative Party and with a new name and identity. Fraser was unsuccessful in his attempt to be elected party leader, losing out to
Ruth Davidson, and following the election was succeeded as deputy leader by
Jackson Carlaw.
Party leadership election 2024 Fraser announced his candidacy on 7 August. Fraser said that the UK-wide Conservative Party could stand candidates in Westminster elections but a new sister party could stand in Holyrood elections, citing the party system in Canada, with a commission established that would report after the
next Scottish Parliament election. He said recent UK Conservative leaders and
Douglas Ross had "let down" members. On 14 August, MSP
Stephen Kerr accidentally published doubts about Murdo Fraser's campaign as a status update on
WhatsApp, calling it "awful". Kerr had endorsed Fraser, but published that he was "beginning to wish" he had nominated Gallacher. Kerr said the comments were out of context, and reiterated his support for Fraser. On 22 August, Fraser launched his campaign to become
Scottish Conservative Party Leader at an event in
Perth with two former rival candidates, Jamie Greene and Brian Whittle. He said that the remaining candidates,
Russell Findlay and
Meghan Gallacher should withdraw from the election and support him. He said he would appeal to conservative nationalists disillusioned by the SNP by offering "practical solutions". ==References==