Grasping attitude is ripe for change
YOU didn’t have to like Ruth Davidson to recognise that she was a successful leader of the Scottish Tories.
When she took over in 2011, her party were a bunch of no-hopers who were routinely humiliated at the ballot box.
But Davidson transformed their fortunes and made the Conservatives the second biggest force in Scottish politics.
However, she seems determined to trash her own reputation through the unseemly pursuit of money.
She was criticised last year for accepting a second job with a lobbying firm, which she was going to combine with her MSP duties.
She realised it was a major error of judgment and withdrew from the role.
It has now emerged she was paid £7500 for routine political analysis for ITV on general election night.
This is highly unusual. Appearing on TV to discuss politics is part of a politician’s day job, not an opportunity to top up the bank balance.
The huge fee is also appalling. Many folk would have to work six months to earn such a sum, not a few hours.
Davidson’s bulging wallet is another example of why there must be a crackdown on double jobbing by MSPs.
Labour’s Neil Findlay is behind plans to restrict outside earnings and Holyrood must support these proposals.
The alternative is people like Davidson earning ridiculous amounts of money without pausing for thought. Change is overdue.
FORMER Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson has sparked outrage after pocketing £7500 for one night’s work.
She received the huge sum for providing political analysis for ITV on general election night.
SNP MSP Rona Mackay said: “Serving politicians who appear on election night broadcasts do so to represent their party – not to pick up a pay cheque. This payment is unprecedented and she should now hand it back.”
Davidson, who is standing down at the next Holyrood election, has been criticised for her outside earnings.
Her Holyrood register of interest, recently updated, revealed the fee was for “participating in the network’s election night coverage”.
Davidson faced a backlash last year after trying to forge a new career as a consultant to a London PR firm while still an MSP.
She withdrew from the job with Tulchan Communications following criticism. The MSP, who earns about £64,000 a year at Holyrood, has also been tipped for the House of Lords. She has been nominated for a peerage and has said she is seriously considering accepting the offer.
Davidson has also been paid £1500 for appearing on the BBC’s Have I Got News For You, £2065 for starring on the Great British Bake Off – An Extra Slice.
She also pocketed a £20,500 book advance and £12,946.92 from the same publisher for the delivery and publication of the book.
Mackay added: “Ruth Davidson’s priority appears to be picking up thousands in outside earnings while neglecting her actual job.
“While she’s laughing all the way to the bank, she might want to stop to consider the thousands of families forced into poverty because of her party’s heartless policies.”
A Scottish Tory spokesman said: “Ruth was invited to appear on ITV’s election night coverage and agreed. The programme set the fee structure for all of its presenters and pundits and Ruth had no input into that process.”