RUTH Davidson has hinted she could stand as an MP in a bid to make the switch from Holyrood to Westminster.
The Scottish Tory leader suggested “conversations” could take place after the next Scottish Parliament elections in 2021 – but she insisted she would only stand for a Scottish seat and not in a safe Conservative constituency in England.
Such a prospect would depend on the Holyrood election results, with Davidson having publicly set her sights on becoming Scotland’s next First Minister. But her comments, in an article in The Spectator magazine, come amid continuing speculation that she could be a future leader of the UK Conservatives.
Davidson said that by the time of the next Holyrood elections, she would have been in charge of the party for “significantly longer” than the two previous Tory leaders, and said: “Then we can start other conversations.”
Asked if those would include conversations about her moving to Westminster, she said: “I haven’t ruled it out. If devolution is going to work, then actually there has to be the ability to move between chambers and parliaments.”
Pressed on if she would only stand for a Scottish seat, Davidson replied: “Yes.”
A Scottish Tory spokesman said: “Ruth’s only focus is on winning the 2021 Scottish election. Scotland needs a change after 10 years of the SNP and the Scottish Conservatives intend to provide it.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel