Davidson to pen book on powerful women but Sturgeon frozen out

Tory leader Ruth Davidson is to pen a book about the world’s most powerful women – but it is unlikely to include First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

The Edinburgh Central MSP will talk to a range of successful women, from world leaders to international pop stars, corporate bosses and army special forces chiefs. Publishers Hodder & Stoughton say the aim is for each to describe their own path in the hope it can be a “signpost for others”.

But a spokesman for the Tory leader said she won’t be talking to the Scottish First Minister 0 Ruth Davidson’s subjects will include pop stars for the book likely to be published next year.

“Here are the life lessons learned by some of the world’s most powerful women,” Ms Davidson said of the project.

“This book is for every daughter, every mother, every aunt and every niece. It tracks the great societal shifts that have brought us to where we are as well as the individuals who have helped nudge us another fraction towards the tipping point.”

Ms Davidson studied English and Scottish Literature at Edinburgh University and, after graduation, worked as a journalist for more than ten years, mostly with the BBC.

Rupert Lancaster of Hodder & Stoughton hailed the “wit and clarity of thought” Ms Davidson brings to politics.