Ruth: We’re excited and daunted about having our first baby
Scots Tory leader’s joy as she reveals she’s 13 weeks pregnant
RUTH Davidson yesterday revealed that she is pregnant and expecting her first child in the autumn.
In an announcement that sent shockwaves through British politics, the Scottish Conservative leader said she is due to give birth in October.
She has undergone IVF to have a baby with her fiancée, Jen Wilson, and is now 13 weeks pregnant.
A stream of goodwill messages were sent from across the political divide, with the Prime Minister describing it as ‘wonderful news’.
Miss Davidson, 39, and Miss Wilson, 36, have been in a relationship since 2014 and got engaged in 2016.
The politician spoke earlier this year about being ‘painfully aware’ that she was running out of time to start a family.
Miss Davidson said she would still fight to be First Minister in the next Holyrood election but intends to take ‘a few months off’.
Her deputy, Jackson Carlaw, will take over the party leadership.
She said: ‘Jen and I are delighted to announce that I am expecting our first child in the late autumn.
‘We are excited – and daunted – about the months to come. Mostly we are just overjoyed at the prospect of starting a family together.
‘While this news may be unexpected for many people, let me reassure my constituents and voters across Scotland that there is no change to my political commitment or plans to lead the Scottish Conservatives into the 2021 Holyrood elections.
‘I’m simply doing what thousands of working women do every year – having a child, taking some time off, then returning to work.’
She said Mr Carlaw would ‘hold the fort for a few months’ but admitted it was ‘highly likely I won’t be able to stay off the phone demanding regular updates’.
Miss Davidson added: ‘In the meantime, it is business as usual.
‘We have a very busy few months ahead and I look forward to throwing myself into events with customary gusto.’
Miss Davidson, MSP for Edinburgh Central, admitted she has struggled with morning sickness.
She told BBC Scotland: ‘I’ve had a bit of the fatigue, the nausea, dizzy spells and all the rest of it.
‘Trying to do everything I was doing before and keep up the pace so people couldn’t tell, just until we knew everything was OK, was a bit of a struggle.
‘There was once I was on my way up to First Minister’s Questions and I go in and sit down, I’m there for a good 30 seconds before I get back up and walk right out again, just in case. But I was OK and I don’t think anyone noticed.’
Miss Davidson, named on a Time magazine list this month of the world’s most influential people, said having a baby should not have an impact on her political career.
She said: ‘I don’t think we should limit a woman’s choices by whether she had children or not.
‘Her ability to do her job shouldn’t be impacted. You can have a family and combine that with a career. I don’t think we should ever send a message to women that they can’t have both.’
Asked by the BBC if she will be a role model for working mothers, Miss Davidson joked: ‘Let’s see if I’m any good at it first.’
The politician also hopes her pregnancy will help to underline that it is normal for same-sex couples to have children, saying: ‘Hopefully this takes some of the taboo or mystery away from it.’
Miss Davidson has spoken of her desire for a family several times and told Vogue magazine in January that she was ‘painfully aware that I am running out of time’ to start having children.
Yesterday, she said: ‘Jen and I are incredibly lucky in the support we have received from our family and friends over the past few months – and know we can rely on them in the months and years to come. I’d like to thank them all again.
‘We’ve always dreamed of starting a family and are so pleased to be able to share our happy news.’
The Scottish Tory leader – who has named her ‘bump’ Fionnuala – admitted she had doubts about whether she would get pregnant.
She said she did not want to get her hopes up ‘in case it’s bad news’ and added: ‘We weren’t sure it was ever going to happen for us but we are really, really delighted that it has.’
Politicians from across the UK sent goodwill messages yesterday.
Theresa May posted on Twitter: ‘Wonderful news! I’m very happy for you and Jen.’
Scottish Secretary David Mundell said: ‘I know everyone across Scotland will want to congratulate Ruth and Jen on this news.
‘They are a great couple and are going to make terrific parents.’
Mr Carlaw said: ‘I know all Scottish Conservatives and many others besides will be delighted.’
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: ‘Many congratulations to Ruth Davidson and her partner Jen on their lovely news. The baby box is on its way!’
Ex-Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said: ‘Personally delighted for you both and also thrilled that the world will see you all as just another happy family – so powerful – bravo and congratulations.’
‘No change to my political plans’