Team Ruth is on the march (with one extra–special convert!)
SHE is on a mission to persuade Scots to make her the leader of the main opposition to the SNP – and it seems Ruth Davidson has already had success with at least one voter, her partner Jen Wilson.
The couple have been together for two years, but Miss Wilson has never been particularly political. But that may be changing – and the 34-year-old from Wexford in Ireland has even joined Miss Davidson on the campaign trail, knocking on doors and handing out leaflets to drum up support for the Tories.
It might not signal a political awakening for Miss Wilson, however, as joining her partner on the campaign trail is often the only chance she gets to spend time with her during the election campaign.
Miss Davidson said they sometimes only see each other briefly, adding: ‘Last night, I stayed in Inverness and tomorrow I’m in Dumfries, so it’s kind of a “Hi” –
then back out the door again. She’s a veteran now, a veteran of the referendum and last year’s General Election, so she’s looking forward to having me back but knows she won’t see too much of me between now and polling day.’
But Miss Wilson has taken a political leap by campaigning. ‘She’s done a bit, actually,’ said Miss Davidson. ‘She’s posted a few leaflets. Jen isn’t generally very political and also being from Ireland, she’s not steeped in Scottish politics. But yeah, when I’ve said I’m going out after tea with a bundle of leaflets to do a bit extra, sometimes she comes out to give me a hand.’
In last year’s General Election, the Scottish Tories tried to demolish their outdated and elitist image by telling Miss Davidson’s story in a party political broadcast – including the public unveiling of her girlfriend, with whom she was shown strolling on the seafront.
But it seems a different approach is being taken this year, with the first campaign broadcast, due to air in the coming days, set to put policy over personality.
‘It is a bit more strait-laced,’ Miss Davidson said. ‘There will be no peek behind the curtains at Chateau Wilson-Davidson, none of that. Although she is coming to a hustings I’m doing tonight, because some of her pals were going anyway so she’s coming along. I’ve no idea why you would want to do that with your night, but each to their own.’
Miss Davidson will be at the front and centre of her party’s campaign again this year. The Tories want to portray her as the best opponent to Miss Sturgeon, and the phrase ‘Ruth Davidson for leader of the opposition’ will even appear on the ballot paper.
Unlike Miss Sturgeon, Miss Davidson won’t go as far as her own range of merchandise. ‘I have no plans for Team Ruth key rings, posters and T-shirts,’ she said.
Although Miss Davidson has led the Scottish Tories since 2011, this will be her first Holyrood campaign as leader. ‘It feels like mine,’ she said, ‘this one feels like I have much more responsibility.’
She said her mission is to ‘get the best result we have ever had in a Holyrood election’, adding: ‘That is the minimum standard I am expecting and requiring and working towards at this election. Everything is geared towards returning that.’
But won’t she be glad when the campaign is over? Apparently not. She said: ‘If you don’t enjoy talking to people about politics, don’t be a politician. Lots of people want the job, so if you don’t enjoy it, don’t do it.’