A woman who can be trusted to keep us in the UK

Yesterday was a tumultuous day in British politics. But this is just the start of a summer of debate and discussion within the Conservative Party and across the country.

as our UK party members elect a new leader, they are also electing a new Prime Minister. that would be a big decision at any time. today, it is of profound importance.

It is because of that seriousness that I am backing theresa May in this contest. I believe she is the strong and credible leader Britain needs in these uncertain times. I also think she is the best candidate for scotland – someone who can bring the UK together and command the respect and confidence of people right across our country.

the result of the EU referendum was not the outcome I wanted or campaigned for. david Cameron’s decision to stand down in its wake was typically dignified. While not surprising in the circumstances, it is nevertheless a loss for our country. david was a fine Prime Minister and can be proud of his achieve establishing ments in office: bringing our economy back from the brink by cutting the deficit; lifting people out of tax and increasing the state pension; and winning the scottish independence referendum.

Whoever succeeds him in office will have to build on that legacy. But following the EU referendum result, we now face new challenges. Britain needs strong leadership to steer us through. the process of withdrawal from the EU will be complex, and it will require hard, serious and detailed work. that means we need a Prime Minister who is a tough negotiator, ready to do the job from day one and negotiate the best terms of exit while uniting our country.

I am convinced theresa is the person to provide that. as Home secretary, her record speaks for itself. When the Police Federation of england and Wales was flexing its muscles and resisting necessary reform, she took it on and won. to tackle the deficit, she took the difficult decision to cut police spending and crime fell to record low levels.

she has exposed police corruption and won the respect of the victims of crime – from the stephen Lawrence case to Hillsborough. Where Labour home secretaries failed for years to deport the dangerous abu Qatada, she got him out of Britain for good.

this is a track record of delivery that we have a right to expect in a candidate for Prime Minister. this is the steely determination and unflashy hard graft we need in 10 downing street as we begin the process of extracting ourselves from the EU and new trading and security links with our european friends.

and I firmly believe that theresa is the best candidate to secure scotland’s place in the UK. We need as UK Prime Minister someone who can be a unifier and command respect.

as Home secretary for six years, responsible for nationwide national security, counter-terrorism and border integrity, theresa has acted in the interest of the whole UK and earned respect from across political divides.

SHE is passionate about maintaining the United Kingdom and she has been a great supporter of scotland and the scottish Conservatives for many years.

during the independence referendum she came to scotland to campaign for our Union and deliver the message that scotland is stronger in the UK.

I know this is something theresa cares about deeply. Having sat with her in the shadow cabinet and Government for 11 years, I have come to admire her greatly. she is totally reliable and her word is her bond – if theresa gives you a commitment she will do all she can to make good on it. the new Prime Minister will have a big job to deliver the best possible outcome for scotland and the UK in our EU negotiations and to bring our country together to face the new challenges and opportunities ahead.

But that is not all. the EU referendum has exposed troubling divisions in our country. Much has been made of the fact that a majority in scotland voted to remain in the EU, whereas a majority across the UK voted to leave. But the picture is more complex. Northern Ireland voted remain, but Wales voted Leave. Older people were more likely to have voted to leave and younger people to remain. rural and poorer areas had more votes for leave than cities or prosperous places.

In Britain today, if you are from an ordinary, working-class family, life is much harder than many people in politics realise.

But theresa gets it. the daughter of a vicar and the granddaughter of a regimental sergeant major, public service is at her core.

as ruth davidson has shown, the Conservative Party is at its most successful when we put ourselves at the service of ordinary, working people. to strive to make Britain a country that works for everyone is the goal theresa has set herself. that is the kind of Conservatism I have always believed. I am certain that theresa is the person to deliver it.