Davidson ‘astonished’ PM signed off on her joining House of Lords
Former Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson has declared she wants to make a “contribution” on gambling reform and the constitution as she prepares to join the House of Lords.
Ms Davidson has taken the title Baroness Davidson of Lundin Links, the village in Fife where she grew up.
She will be introduced at the Lords tomorrow by two former Scottish Tory party colleagues – former director Lord Mark Mcinnes and former chairman and former advocate general Lord Keen.
Speaking ahead of her introduction, Ms Davidson said: "The job in the House of Lords is to scrutinise and amend legislation – basically, to make sure all Uk-wide laws are fit for purpose. This is important work and it's vital that it is undertaken by a mix of people from all backgrounds and all parts of the country.
"As a teenage modern studies pupil, learning about politics at Buckhaven High School, I didn't believe that someone like me could ever have the chance to serve in not one, but two parliaments. I hope to take all of the experience I've gained over the last decade in Holyrood and put it to good use in my new role.
“I am keen to make a contribution in areas of importance to me such as gambling reform, end of life choices and the constitution, and pledge to work with members from all parties and none in reforming the House of Lords into a democratic chamber.” The former Tory MSP, who stood down at the last election, chose to delay heading to the Lords to campaign in the Holyrood election for her party.
She has also recently worked on a documentary, Football’s Gambling Addiction, that was aired on Channel 4.
Ms Davidson backed three candidates to be Tory leader in 2019 – Sajid Javid, Michael Gove and Jeremy Hunt – but not Boris Johnson.
She also declared the Scottish Tories were free to pursue their own Brexit stance “independently of government” in direct defiance to the Prime Minister less than a week after heoriginallytookofficein2019. In an interview with the Scottishmailonsunday,msdavidson said she was surprised Mr Johnson had signed off on her peerage.
“I’m astonished he signed it off,” she said. “Genuinely astonished.”