It’s a boy: Baby joy for Ruth Davidson
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson has given birth to a baby boy and said she and her partner Jen Wilson are “delighted” by their new son.
F inn paul davidson was born at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary yesterday morning, weighing 10lb 1.5oz.
Ms Davidson posted a picture of the couple with Finn on Twitter and wrote: “Welcome to the world, little one. Know that you are loved.”
Ms Davidson, 39, MSP for Edinburgh Central, has been on maternity leave from the Scottish Parliament since the October recess and is due to return to work next spring.
In April she and Ms Wilson announced they were expecting a baby after successful IVF treatment.
Thanking the medical staff, Ms Davidson said: “Jen and I are delighted at baby Finn’s safe arrival. A huge thank you to the medical team at the ERI and the midwives at Leith community treatment centre for looking after all three of us so well throughout the pregnancy and birth.
“I can’t wait to get this little one home to enjoy some family time together.”
Ms Wilson added: “It was wonderful to welcome baby Finn into the world this morning. He is beautiful and already very loved.
“Ruth did brilliantly and Finn clearly has his mother’s lungs on him!”
Ms Davidson also tweeted a photo of Wilson, the couple’s dog wearing a “big brother” bib shortly after announcing Finn’s birth. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon posted: “Many congratulations to you both. I wish wee Finn a lifetime of happiness.”
DUP leader Arlene Foster wrote: “New life is wonderful. We can all remember our first cuddle. Many congratulations.”
Andrea Leadsom, leader of the House of Commons, posted: “Welcome to the world baby Finn! What wonderful news – huge congratulations @Ruth- Davidsonmsp and Jen xx.” Scottish Secretary David Mundell said Finn’s safe arrival was “absolutely joyous news”.
He added: “I am so very pleased for Ruth and Jen. They will make fantastic parents and I wish them both the very best as they embark on this exciting chapter of their lives as a family.”
Scottish Labour MEP Catherine Stihler wrote: “Congratulations! Finn will change your world. Enjoy every moment because they grow up fast.”
The couple, who have been together since 2014, plan to share maternity leave, with Ms Davidson’s deputy, Jackson Carlaw, standing in until her return.
Although her personal popularity and electoral success have seen her frequently tipped as a future leader of the UK party, Ms Davidson has ruled out ever taking on the job, saying she valued her mental health too much.
“It was wonderful to welcome baby Finn into the world this morning...ruth did brilliantly and Finn clearly has his mother’s lungs on him!”
JEN WILSON
The Scotsman would like to congratulate Ruth Davidson, leader of the Scottish Conservatives and a columnist for this paper, on the birth of her son Finn Paul Davidson yesterday.
“Welcome to the world, little one ... Know that you are loved,” she tweeted yesterday, along with a photograph showing herself, her partner Jen Wilson and the new addition to their family, who weighed in at a healthy 10lb 1.5oz.
In these fraught and anxious times, it was a moment of happiness that brought best wishes from those who are otherwise implacable political opponents.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted her congratulations, adding: “I wish wee Finn a lifetime of happiness”. Richard Leonard, the Scottish Labour leader, said he was “wishing you all the very best”. And Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie sent “best wishes from the Rennies”.
It was almost like they were family. And, in a sense, they are. The family of democrats may be large and fractious, prone to the most bitter arguments, but still in times of joy it comes together.