Douglas Ross MP MSP

Member of the Scottish Parliament for Highlands and Islands

Douglas Ross MP MSP has represented Moray as an MP since 2017 and the Highlands and Islands Region as an MSP since 2022. 

Douglas was born and raised in Moray, attending Forres Academy. After finishing school, he went to the Scottish Agricultural College and pursued a career in farming, working as a dairyman on farms across Moray. He was first elected as a councillor in 2007 and was re-elected again in 2012, successfully standing up for local issues for 10 years.

In 2016, Douglas was elected to the Scottish Parliament representing the Highlands and Islands region until 2017, when he became the MP for Moray, going on to be re-elected in 2019. During his time as an MP, he has held many roles including Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Scotland and Government Whip.

Douglas became the Leader of the Scottish Conservatives in August 2020 and was elected to the Scottish Parliament as an MSP for the Highlands and Islands region once again in May 2021. 

Outside of politics, Douglas is qualified football referee, officiating games for the Scottish FA, UEFA and FIFA. He lives with his wife Krystle and their two sons. 

News

Landmark Right to Recovery Bill to go before parliament

Douglas Ross has today urged the Scottish Government to give their backing to his landmark bill to tackle Scotland’s drugs-death epidemic after earning the right to bring it before Parliament. The Right to Recovery Bill – which the Scottish Conservative leader lodged last month – will be debated by

Distracted Sturgeon insults police with ‘derisory’ pay offer

Nicola Sturgeon has been accused of insulting Scotland’s police officers with a ‘derisory’ pay offer. Douglas Ross made the claim at FMQs, as he focused on the dispute between the Scottish Police Federation and the SNP Government, which has led to officers taking the strongest industrial action the

Moray maternity plans “do not go far enough”

Humza Yousaf’s long-awaited plans to restore consultant-led maternity services in Moray “simply do not go far enough”, the Scottish Conservatives have said. Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross, who is also a Highlands and Islands MSP, challenged the SNP Health Secretary in Parliament over his

Wearing facemasks should be up to the public

The Scottish Conservatives have said it should be up to the public to decide whether or not to wear a facemask, after the SNP Government again extended the legal requirement for them to be worn in certain public settings. In her Covid update to parliament today, the First Minister announced that th

FMQs: Sturgeon sinks under pressure on £250 million ferry fiasco

An under-pressure Nicola Sturgeon was slammed today for “one of the worst public spending disasters since devolution” over her government’s handling of the ferries scandal that has cost taxpayers £250 million already. At First Minister’s Questions, Scottish Conservative Leader Dougla

FM’s facemask U-turn shows lack of trust in the public

Douglas Ross has accused the First Minister of not trusting the public after she chose to indefinitely maintain the legal requirement for facemasks to be worn in shops and on public transport.  In her Covid update in Parliament today, Nicola Sturgeon backtracked on her announcement last month

Hurt Putin by backing domestic oil and gas

Douglas Ross has challenged the First Minister to drop her opposition to domestic oil and gas production to strengthen Scotland’s energy security – and deal a blow to Vladimir Putin. At First Minister’s Questions, the Scottish Conservative Leader urged Nicola Sturgeon to update her Government’s ene

Sturgeon dodges questions on investment bank leadership

Nicola Sturgeon has refused to answer any questions about why the Scottish National Investment Bank chief executive abruptly resigned last week. Under questioning from Douglas Ross at First Minister’s Questions, Nicola Sturgeon repeatedly dodged questions about the bank’s leadership. The Scottish

'Damning' Audit Scotland report exposes SNP failures in Scotland's NHS

The First Minister today defended her government's record despite a “damning” Audit Scotland report on the state of Scotland’s NHS. At FMQs, Douglas Ross challenged Nicola Sturgeon on both Audit Scotland’s findings and startling evidence from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) that dela