Annabel Goldie became the third leadership casualty of this election this afternoon when she announced she was standing down as Scottish Conservative leader.
Miss Goldie is due to face a contest for the leadership later this year as a result of party reforms agreed last year.
Today she issued a statement announcing that she would not be seeking re-election as Scottish Conservative leader.
Her departure follows that of Iain Gray, as leader of the Scottish Labour Party and Tavish Scott as leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats.
Miss Goldie’s decision to stand down paves the way for her deputy, Murdo Fraser, to go for the leadership of the party. He may, though, be challenged by fellow MSP Gavin Brown.
Miss Goldie said: “The Scottish election result was seismic. Nobody, not even Alex Salmond, thought that the SNP would win an overall majority at Holyrood.
“I am of course disappointed that the Conservatives are returning to the parliament with two fewer MSPs than last time, but I am heartened by the observations of many independent commentators that our result was, by comparison to the other opposition parties, credible.”
And she added: “For the opposition parties, we will all have to adjust to the new realities. It will be a test of our mettle and resolve to be an effective opposition. We must remember that although the SNP has a majority of seats, it did not win a majority of votes, and has a minority of support for independence.
“For me, and for my party, we will play our part. Now the election is over, the implementation of the 2011 review into our structures can be completed. In particular I understand that the new leadership structures will be in place by the autumn.
“I am an enthusiastic backer of the new plans – including the call for the party to have one overall leader in Scotland. It is likely that the first election under these new rules will take place later this year.
“I believe that the time has come for the torch to pass and I can confirm that I will not be a candidate. There are four years until the next UK general election, and five years until the next Holyrood contest. I want my successor to have the maximum time for him or her to shape the Party and its policies and to lead the opposition at Holyrood.
“For the sake of clarity, I will remain as leader of the MSP group until my successor takes over, and I will of course remain as an MSP for the duration of the parliament.”
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