Tory Ruth The thought of spending lots of time away fills me with dread

Ruth Davidson quit as leader of the Scottish Conservatives last year over the prospect of being separated from her partner Jen Wilson and baby son Finn during a general election campaign.

The 40-year-old, who is still MSP for Edinburgh Central but will step down next year,

became a mum in 2018. At the time, she said: “I know the efforts, hours and travel required to fight such campaigns successfully.

“I have to be honest that where the idea of getting on the road to fight two elections in 20 months would once have fired me up, the threat of spending hundreds of hours away from my home and family now fills me with dread. That is no way to lead.”

When she returned to the Scottish Parliament from maternity leave in May 2019, she admitted it was “tough to tear myself away from the wee man”.

At Westminster last year, Heidi Allen, the former Conservative MP who defected to the

Liberal Democrats via Change UK, decided not to stand in the general election, highlighting

“the nastiness and intimidation that has become commonplace”.

Other women who decided not to continue in politics include Nicky Morgan – who had been subjected to a torrent of abuse – and former home secretary Amber Rudd.