The leadership contest for the Scottish Liberal Democrats turned into a three-way fight after two former ministers joined outsider Mike Rumbles in putting their names forward.

Tavish Scott, the former Transport Minister, who is widely tipped as the favourite to replace Nicol Stephen as leader, formally announced his bid only hours after the former Rural Affairs Minister, Ross Finnie, made it clear he too was running.

Mr Scott said that he wanted the party to adopt a fresh approach. “Scots are asking their government for help, but their voices are being drowned out by an ever more acrimonious and pointless feud between the SNP in Edinburgh and New Labour at Westminster. That's not good enough.

“Our party must speak to Scotland's people about those things that most concern them and not just those that most interest politicians.”

Mr Scott, who is close to Mr Stephen, has won the backing of six of the party's MSPs and five MPs. He also enjoys the support of the former UK party leader, Menzies Campbell.

He will face a tough challenge in Mr Finnie, 61, who said that he decided to contest the leadership after taking soundings from colleagues and family. He told BBC Radio Scotland: “They certainly believe, or appear to believe, that I have the qualities necessary to be a leader.

“They see the question of experience, of sound judgment, of an ability to communicate, a sense of humour - all allied to an absolutely passionate belief in liberal democracy.”

Mr Finnie claimed that the Liberal Democrats had failed to convey their message leaving voters unsure of what they stood for. He promised a sharper campaigning edge if elected.

He defended the decision taken by the party leadership last year not to form a coalition with the SNP administration at Holyrood - a decision in which Mr Scott had been influential - but said that he was relaxed about a referendum on more powers for Holyrood.

Both Mr Finnie and Mr Scott are set against a referendum on independence.

Mr Rumbles, who stood unsuccessfully in the last leadership contest in 2005 against Mr Stephen, declared his intention to stand last week.

Mr Stephen said that he was to standing down because of the strain the job was having on his family life.

The Liberal Democrats will announce the winner of their leadership contest on August 26, which means the party will have a new leader in place before the Scottish Parliament reconvenes in the autumn.

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