Two quick questions on this quarter-centenary for the Scottish Parliament. What will Russell Findlay stand for as the new Scottish Conservative leader? And does anybody care?

Yes, he is the heir to centuries of tradition. Yes, his party is still the only outfit, since universal suffrage, to win a popular majority in Scotland. (In 1955, thanks for asking.) But they have a rather variegated past. Some historians trace Scottish Tory roots back to the Jacobites. Others reflect that they gamely survived the nineteenth century, despite being routinely gubbed by the Liberals – in the “distant and Whiggish country” of Scotland.

But do the Scottish Tories have any relevance now? Especially since their Westminster counterparts have bickered and partied their way into near-oblivion, replaced by a grateful Labour Party. Mr Findlay secured a convincing victory – and congratulations are undoubtedly due. But there was an understandable note of uncertainty in his acceptance speech.

He thanked his fellow candidates, Murdo Fraser and Meghan Gallacher, stressing he respected and valued them. But this has been at times a vicious and visceral campaign, reflecting fundamental divisions within the party over its role at Holyrood, its policy standpoints and its relationship with UK Tories.

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Mr Findlay blandly described the internal rows as “a healthy engagement with members”. But, when the new leader urged his colleagues to “come together as one united team”, it was delivered in a faintly plaintive tone. This was hope, not confidence.

Indeed, Mr Findlay deployed a tactic commonly used........

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