Scottish Tory leader to quit with warning over No Deal
RUTH Davidson will resign as Scottish Tory leader today with a parting blast over the risks of a No Deal Brexit.
The rising Tory star, who is credited with masterminding the party’s revival north of the Border, has been an outspoken critic of both Boris Johnson and Brexit.
Sources last night insisted her decision to go was not directly related to Mr Johnson’s election as Tory leader or his controversial decision to suspend Parliament next month.
But they acknowledged that concerns about a No Deal Brexit were a factor, along with the toll that the leadership has taken on her personal life at a time when she is caring for her first child, Finn, who was born in October.
Last month, Miss Davidson clashed with Mr Johnson over Brexit and warned that she did not accept his strategy going forward.
‘ I don’t think the Government should pursue a No Deal Brexit and, if it comes to it, I won’t support it,’ she said at the time.
Last night, she told the Scottish Daily Mail the party was in ‘great shape’ in Scotland, adding: ‘I understand the speculation surrounding my leadership and I will be making my position clear later today.
‘Those of us who are lucky enough to serve in political leadership accept the toll it takes, but there’s a part of us which can never accept the effect it has on family and friends too.’
Miss Davidson’s departure is a significant blow to Mr Johnson and his hopes of securing a majority at the next election, which could come within weeks. Her direct style and charismatic personality were credited with turning around the Tory party’s moribund fortunes in Scotland and delivering 13 MPs at the last election, which proved crucial in keeping Jeremy Corbyn out of Downing Street.
Downing Street sources acknowledged that the timing of Miss Davidson’s departure was ‘ not ideal’ as Mr Johnson is trying to keep the party united behind his strategy of taking Britain out of the European Union on October 31 come what may.
Her resignation will fuel concerns that Mr Johnson has a ‘Scottish problem’ which could cost the Conservatives at any
‘Toll of political leadership’
upcoming election. Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd, a close ally of Miss Davidson, last night paid tribute to her, saying: ‘Ruth Davidson is a wonderful talent and person, and we owe her a tremendous debt for turning our fortunes around in Scotland.
‘Our party is a better one with her in it and I hope she will continue to contribute to public life.’ Miss Davidson had dreamed of becoming Scotland’s first post- devolution Tory leader.
The ambition had led her to resist pressure from Tory moderates to relocate to Westminster and seek the party’s national leadership.
It is understood that Miss Davidson made her mind up to stand down on Tuesday and had begun making preparations to hold a press conference to announce her decision, which will go ahead as planned today.
She was heavily opposed to Mr Johnson becoming leader and backed three of his rivals in the leadership contest.
She was also one of the most prominent Remain campaigners and went up against Mr Johnson in a head- to- head debate in the final week of the EU referendum campaign in June 2016. A senior source said that her decision was ‘not in the least’ down to Mr Johnson entering Downing Street, or his decision yesterday to announce that he is controversially suspending Parliament in the run-up to Britain leaving the EU at the end of October.
The source said: ‘This is for a mixture of personal reasons and political reasons, but it is not connected at all to [yesterday’s] events.
‘She has found that, as a leading Remainer, she has had a conflict over the whole issue of Brexit which has not made it easy for her in her role as Scottish Conservative leader.
‘But it is absolutely not to do with the personality of the Prime Minister.’
Miss Davidson had not spoken to either Mr Johnson or most of her elected politicians prior to rumours of her departure first breaking last night.