Davidson and Blair’s IndyRef2 meeting
RUTH Davidson had a meeting with Tony Blair to discuss a possible future referendum on Scottish independence, it has emerged.
Davidson, who resigned as Scottish Tory leader in August, met Blair in Edinburgh earlier this month.
The former Labour prime minister was in the city for a lunch with Holyrood journalists before speaking at a Reform Scotland event.
It is understood Blair and Davidson met for 45 minutes at a hotel.
At the Holyrood lunch, Blair said a no-deal Brexit would be a “profound threat” to the United Kingdom.
He told journalists: “I remain a convinced Unionist, I want Scotland to remain part of the United Kingdom irrespective of Brexit, whether it happens or doesn’t happen.
“But it would be foolish to deny that if what is proposed is a no-deal Brexit, and we were to do such a thing, then it would be a whole additional dimension for the argument for independence that those who wish for independence would use, and use persuasively.”
The former PM also said there’s “open space” for the middle ground vote and referenced Davidson by name.
Although she did not mention their meeting, in a newspaper column this week Davidson praised Blair’s performance in a recent interview with the BBC’s Andrew Neil.
She wrote: “You don’t win three general elections without having a bit about you – and Blair expertly thrust and parried his way through the interrogation.
“It was an absolute joy to watch two of the very best go at it full throttle – and a stark reminder of what thin gruel is served up elsewhere.”