RUTH Davidson may help fight for the Union in indyref2 but has confirmed she will not stand for election again.

The next Scottish Parliament vote will be held in 2021, but yesterday Davidson stated that her name is unlikely to appear on the ballot paper. Speaking at Wigtown Book Festival, she said: “It’s a fairly open secret that I think I’m going to see out my term.

“I’m giving myself the option to change my mind but I don’t think that I will stand again.”

She said she would join pro-Union efforts if indyref2 is called, stating: “I hope there won’t be a next time.

“I will do what I can to stop that happening, but if it is happening there is absolutely no way that I am going to sit it out.

The National:

“This is my country, it’s what I’ve fought for, it’s what I believe in.

“And whether anyone wants me to hold a position or whether they want me to go round, knock doors and hand out leaflets, I’m happy doing both.”

Davidson went on: “I’ve just left a big job, I’m not angling for another.

“I’m not going to pretend that I would be best the person for the job, if it ever happens, in 10 or 15 years time, but if people want a hand then I’ll help.”

Davidson, who represents Edinburgh Central at Holyrood, stepped down as leader of the Scottish Conservatives in August. The move came after the birth of her son and she said a desire to spend more time with her family, not Boris Johnson’s rise to PM, was behind the decision.

Davidson had been a vocal critic of Johnson, clashing with him during the Brexit referendum, and her decision to vacate the leadership role came one day after he announced plans to prorogue Parliament.

At the festival, she told journalist Sarah Smith that she had been “hopelessly conflicted by Brexit” as leader, adding that although she and Boris Johnson were “not buddy-buddy pals”, she did not leave due to disagreements with him.

READ MORE: Davidson’s face said it all as Carlaw clashed with Sturgeon in Holyrood

Responding to Davidson’s comments, former MP Angus Robertson – who has been tipped as a potential SNP candidate for the seat – tweeted: “Good opportunity for Edinburgh Central to have an MSP that will stand up for Scottish democracy and place in Europe, oppose Boris Johnson and damaging Tory policies and proactively represent the constituency.”

Robertson, who lives in the constituency, lost his Moray Westminster seat at the last General Election and subsequently stood down as SNP depute leader. He now leads political research group Progress Scotland, which is working to secure a Yes majority.

READ MORE: The Slorance Sketch: Scottish Tories now back PM's No-Deal Brexit

While speculation is growing that Robertson may seek the candidacy, it is understood that Edinburgh South West MP Joanna Cherry has also been approached by local activists, as was MEP Alyn Smith. However, Smith has now been confirmed as the party’s Westminster candidate for Stirling.

Yesterday the Scottish Tories held an away-day in North Queensferry in the wake of a row triggered by interim leader Jackson Carlaw, who is said to have unveiled a U-turn in favour of a No-Deal Brexit without having consulted members.