Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson has quit – what now for her party in Scotland?

Scottish Conservatives leader, a new mother, says thought of sacrifices needed for another election fill her with dread

A tearful Ruth Davidson said she could no longer continue as Scottish Conservative leader with the thought of further elections filling her with “dread”.

Making her announcement the day after Prime Minister Boris Johnson suspended parliament, Ms Davidson insisted she was not stepping down over any rift with Number 10.

As a new mother, she said, the thought of hundreds of hours away from her family and the “poor” effort she had made as a partner, sister and daughter since being elected eight years ago had taken its toll, convincing her to stand down.

“I see the Scottish election due in 2021 and a credible threat from our opponents to force a general election before then.

“Having led our party through seven national elections and two referenda, I know the efforts, hours and travel required to fight such campaigns successfully.

“I have to be honest that where the idea of getting on the road to fight two elections in 20 months would once have fired me up, the threat of spending hundreds of hours away from my home and family now fills me with dread.

“That is no way to lead. “Additionally, I fear that having tried to be a good leader over the years, I have proved a poor daughter, sister, partner and friend.

“The party and my work has always come first, often at the expense of commitments to loved ones. The arrival of my son means I now make a different choice.”

Ms Davidson said her proudest achievement in her time as leader was successfully “defending the Union” during the Scottish independence referendum in 2014.

Under her leadership, the party achieved its best-ever result in a Holyrood election, becoming the second-largest group behind the SNP in the Scottish Parliament.

She only returned to frontline politics in April, following the birth of her son Finn with partner Jen Wilson.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Conservatives confirmed Ms Davidson had been considering her position as leader for “some time”.

He said: “The morning of the European elections was the first time she talked about going.

“The prime minister, Boris Johnson, was not a factor in her decision to resign.

“There are numerous reasons why she has stepped down and the eight years she has spent as leader is a long time in the public glare.”

Ms Davidson said respect had been missing in political debates lately, making reuniting the country difficult to do.

She said: “I have never sought to hide the conflict I have felt over Brexit.

“Despite that conflict, I have attempted to chart a course for our party which recognises and respects the referendum result, while seeking to maximise opportunities and mitigate risks for key Scottish businesses and sectors.

“I hope and believe that industries as diverse as our fishing fleets and whisky producers have felt well represented by the Scottish Conservatives during this time.

“Two referenda have split Scotland and, indeed, opinion in the UK.

“I am convinced that referenda should be used to affirm public opinion but not as a way for political leaders to fail to lead.

“But looking at the division in our politics, I make this plea. The vast majority of people who go into politics do so for the right reasons. To improve their communities and their countries. I believe we should always remember that.

“Respect is what is missing from our debates and without respect you cannot understand and you cannot unite, which is what we in Scotland and the UK need to do.”

The party and my work has always come first, often at the expense of commitments to loved ones. RUTH DAVIDSON