RUTH Davidson has been branded “arrogant and deluded” after she claimed the Scottish Tories will use a conference next week to present themselves as the next Scottish government.
The Conservative leader made the claim ahead of a gathering of activists in Aberdeen on Friday and Saturday. Davidson described the event as the first time in some 30 years where the Tories have been able to cast themselves in that role, drawing scorn from the SNP.
Davidson has supposedly been marked out as a rising star in the UK Tory Party but while there has been speculation that she could stand as an MP in England, she insisted her sights are set on being Scotland’s next first minister.
Speaking to Holyrood magazine, Davidson said: “This conference we’re having is going to be really important for us because it’s the first time in 30 years, maybe, that you’ve got a group of Scottish Conservatives getting together and saying, ‘how do we form the next government of Scotland?’
“That’s an ambitious belief that we’ve never allowed ourselves to have before.”
While Davidson said the conference would feature debates on issues traditionally popular with Tory supporters, such as law and order and the economy, she added that there would also be a focus on the environment and rural economies.
Davidson said: “We’re doing big strands in areas of social and public services. These are areas that would not ordinarily be associated with us but we recognise we’ve got to have a full policy provision to stand up in 2021 and say, ‘we are an alternative government for Scotland’. That’s the next step.”
MSP Kevin Stewart provided the SNP’s response. He said: “Ruth Davidson is arrogant and deluded if she thinks a party willing to cut the NHS to the bone to pay for tax cuts for the richest is fit to hold office in Scotland.
“And if she can’t even command the loyalty of her Westminster MPs, what on Earth makes her think she is fit to lead the country?
“Tory support has hit the buffers as people realise the damage they’re willing to inflict on Scotland’s economy with their plans for a hard Brexit.
“That’s why they’ve slipped back into third place in the polls.”
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