Holyrood election 2026: I will 'absolutely not' be resigning this weekend, says Russell Findlay

The Scottish Conservative leader says they have “48 hours to save Scotland from an SNP majority” as the clock ticks down to polls opening on May 7.

However, polling is looking pretty bleak for the Conservatives, with some pollsters projecting them to fall into fifth place behind the SNP, Reform UK, Scottish Labour and the Scottish Greens.

There are also fears that Mr Findlay might not be able to win his West Scotland seat at the vote on Thursday.

However, when The Scotsman asked if he would be resigning at the weekend, Mr Findlay said: “Absolutely not.”

Get our revamped Steamie newsletter

Mr Findlay had joined activists to go out door-knocking in Auchterarder with less than two days to go until the pols open.

“We’re energetic,” he said. “We know what’s at stake and we’ve got 48 hours to save Scotland from an SNP majority, 48 hours to stop John Swinney getting the majority he says he’s going to get and demand another independence referendum.”

When asked if he has any regrets about how the election campaign has gone, he said: “With anything you can look back and see scope for potential improvement, but we’ve been consistent.

“Our manifesto is costed and is targeting the cost-of-living, showing Scots that they shouldn’t be paying so much income tax. We are pro-business, we understand how to get the economy going, and want to tackle the benefits bill.

“If you look at the other parties, they are embroiled in scandal. We are the only party that is standing up for the union and will stand up for the SNP.”

This comes just days after First Minister John Swinney accused his political opponents of being “doom-mongers” with a “dull, boring and uninspiring message”. In response, Mr Findlay said the SNP leader is stuck in the “relentless doomloop of constitutional nonsense”.

He said: “John Swinney’s only ever had one message since he was out of short trousers, and that is breaking up the UK.

“That’s doomly, desperate, divisive and holding Scotland back, and is why Scotland is in such a mess after 20 years of SNP government.

“All he has to offer is a ludicrous scheme to legislate for the price of eggs, which he knows if he was honest with people is unworkable.

“We will focus on the positive and give hope for people who work hard, not John Swinney’s relentless doomloop of constitutional nonsense.”

He added that while success at this election is “subjective”, he is positive the Scottish Conservatives will have a good showing at the polls.

Mr Findlay added: “It would be a nightmare to wake up after the election and see an SNP majority, or a return to the horror show of an SNP-Green government - then we would be starting from scratch with all the madcap ideas of the SNP and the Greens back on the table.”

The SNP has been approached for comment.