The REAL reason Ruth is quitting
RUTH Davidson will today confirm she is quitting as Scottish Tory leader because she can ‘never accept’ the toll politics has taken on her family life – as well as growing concerns about Brexit.
She will reveal her departure after eight years as she continues to be at odds with Boris Johnson over the threat of a No Deal exit from the European Union.
But the 40-year-old, who gave birth to her first baby, Finn, last October, will insist that a major factor in her decision is the impact her position has taken on her family and friends.
She is expected to make clear she is not leaving because Mr Johnson became Prime Minister – and her departure was planned prior to his decision yesterday to suspend Parliament in the runup to Britain leaving the EU at the end of October.
She told the Scottish Daily Mail: ‘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.
‘As we go forward to an incredibly turbulent time in UK and Scottish politics, I want to make clear the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party is in great shape and will continue to hold the SNP to account. Scotland’s best interests will always be as part of the UK and everyone in the party – from the leader to our activists – are determined to make that case every day from now until the next election.’
Miss Davidson’s exit will be a huge blow to her party, as she has helped transform its prospects in Scotland since becoming leader shortly after she first became an MSP in 2011.
It is understood she decided 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.
A senior source said her decision was ‘not in the least’ down to Mr Johnson entering No 10 or his plan to suspend Parliament. The source said: ‘This is for a mixture of personal reasons and political reasons but is not connected at all to today’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 Mr Johnson before rumours of her departure broke last night. She had planned to have a telephone conversation with the Prime Minister last night, then intended to inform her MPs and MSPs first thing this morning.
Another insider said: ‘She has been thinking about this for quite a while. She was finding it quite difficult and realised it was time for change. She has done it for eight years, so there’s an element of wear and tear after that amount of time.
‘It has been well known for some time that she is not comfortable with a No Deal Brexit
‘I will be making my position clear’ ‘An element of wear and tear’
and that is one of the factors in not being the right person going into this process.’
Pamela Nash, chief executive of campaign group Scotland in Union, said: ‘Ruth’s leadership will be remembered for her relentless work making the case for Scotland to remain in the UK. Her departure as leader would be sad news for Scotland, which needs vocal champions to stand against the SNP’s divisive Nationalism.’
Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie said: ‘It’s no surprise Ruth Davidson has run out of reasons to stand by this dangerous and power-hungry Prime Minister.’
Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said: ‘If the rumours are true, then the loss of Ruth Davidson as leader of the Scottish Conservatives will be a real blow to her party.’