Scottish Daily Mail

Ruth urges Carlaw to rip it up and start again

- By Rachel Watson

RUTH Davidson has urged her successor to rip up her playbook and throw out traditiona­l Conservati­ve policies to oust the SNP.

The former Scottish Conservati­ve leader said Jackson Carlaw must ‘hit the ground running’ with only 1 months until the next Holyrood election.

Miss Davidson quit last year, citing political difference­s with Boris Johnson, saying she wanted more time with her young son, Finn.

In the months before her resignatio­n, the Edinburgh Central MSP said she felt confident she could oust Nicola Sturgeon as First Minister.

As the new Scottish Tory leader, Mr Carlaw is hoping to boost his vote in the Scottish Parliament election next year.

He has claimed that his party’s pro-Union stance, together with a raft of new policy ideas, could help him into Bute House.

Writing in the Mail on Sunday yesterday, Miss Davidson said: ‘Jackson and his team have to hit the ground running. That means ripping up the playbook, building a new team, changing the way the leader’s office functions, throwing out long-held policies and unveiling a more comprehens­ive platform. Kickstarti­ng areas of stalled reform and an honest assessment of the party’s areas of weakness.’

Miss Davidson said Mr Carlaw should put his own stamp on the party.

She added: ‘The new leadership team will have my absolute support in doing things differentl­y.’

Mr Carlaw was confirmed as the Scottish Conservati­ve leader on Friday and has promised a dramatic overhaul of the party.

 ??  ?? Advice: Davidson and Carlaw
Advice: Davidson and Carlaw

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