POLITICS

Ruth Davidson has moved to position the Scottish Tories firmly in the political centre ground – predicting that first minister-in-waiting Nicola Sturgeon would be the most left-wing yet.

Having emerged from what she branded a “long, dark night” for the party in Scotland during the referendum, she said there was an“incredibleopportunity” to take advantage of the realignment.

Speaking at a fringe event at the Conservative conference inBirmingham, the Scottish party leader said the “myth” of the toxic Tories had been “blown out of the water”.

Ms Davidson said: “We have the chance for the first time in decades to occupy the centre ground of Scottish politics. To continue being the voice for Scotland’s silent majority. Because, let’s face it, no one else is going to be.

“The Nationalists are too busy being the voice for the ‘referendum deniers’, who just want a rematch.

“They’re going to keep mobilising for another referendum – it’s in their DNA.

“And, with Nicola Sturgeon set to take over, it looks like the SNP and Labour are going to embark on a titanic fight to out-left each other.

“I know Nicola, and I can tell you this – she will be the most left-wing first minister Scotland has ever known. Forget Donald and Henry, Jack and Alex – please, can we forget Alex? – Nicola will take her party, and the country, leftwards.”

She claimed the SNP and Labour will be trying to outflank each other to demonstrate “a kind of socialist machismo”.

Ruth Davidson sees “an incredible opportunity”