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| Ruth Davidson quits as Scottish Tory leader citing Brexit and family | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Ruth Davidson has quit as leader of the Scottish Conservatives, citing both the conflict she feels over Brexit and her desire to achieve a better balance between her working and family life. | Ruth Davidson has quit as leader of the Scottish Conservatives, citing both the conflict she feels over Brexit and her desire to achieve a better balance between her working and family life. |
| Davidson, who gave birth to her first child in November, confirmed she would continue as MSP for Edinburgh Central until 2021, but said “the threat of spending hundreds of hours away from my home and family [to fight another election] now fills me with dread, and that is no way to lead”. | Davidson, who gave birth to her first child in November, confirmed she would continue as MSP for Edinburgh Central until 2021, but said “the threat of spending hundreds of hours away from my home and family [to fight another election] now fills me with dread, and that is no way to lead”. |
| She added: “You all know and I have never sought to hide the conflict I have felt over Brexit. Despite that conflict, I have attempted to chart a course for our party which recognises and respects the referendum result.” | She added: “You all know and I have never sought to hide the conflict I have felt over Brexit. Despite that conflict, I have attempted to chart a course for our party which recognises and respects the referendum result.” |
| Parliament suspension: Ruth Davidson resigns, citing 'conflict I have felt over Brexit' – live news | Parliament suspension: Ruth Davidson resigns, citing 'conflict I have felt over Brexit' – live news |
| Explaining that her work had always come first, often to the detriment of her personal relationships, Davidson said: “The arrival of my son means I now make a different choice.” | Explaining that her work had always come first, often to the detriment of her personal relationships, Davidson said: “The arrival of my son means I now make a different choice.” |
| Describing her time leading the party as “the privilege of my life”, Davidson said she was proud of the election-winning team she had built. She insisted she been planning her exit before the prime minister announced the suspension of parliament on Wednesday. | Describing her time leading the party as “the privilege of my life”, Davidson said she was proud of the election-winning team she had built. She insisted she been planning her exit before the prime minister announced the suspension of parliament on Wednesday. |
| It has been the privilege of my life to serve as @ScotTories leader. This morning I wrote to the Scottish party chairman to tender my resignation. pic.twitter.com/CJ9EjW2RqN | It has been the privilege of my life to serve as @ScotTories leader. This morning I wrote to the Scottish party chairman to tender my resignation. pic.twitter.com/CJ9EjW2RqN |
| Davidson’s departure from frontline politics is considered a significant blow not only for her party but the future of the union. | Davidson’s departure from frontline politics is considered a significant blow not only for her party but the future of the union. |
| After winning the party leadership in 2011, at the age of 32 and months after first being elected as an MSP, Davidson set about a comprehensive remodelling of the Scottish Tories, subtly changing policy emphasis and bringing in talented individuals who did not fit the traditional Conservative mould. | After winning the party leadership in 2011, at the age of 32 and months after first being elected as an MSP, Davidson set about a comprehensive remodelling of the Scottish Tories, subtly changing policy emphasis and bringing in talented individuals who did not fit the traditional Conservative mould. |
| At the 2016 Scottish parliament elections, the party achieved its best performance in a quarter of a century, pushing Scottish Labour into third place, and in the snap general election a year later, 13 Scottish Tory MPs were elected, a result that was key to keeping the then prime minister, Theresa May, in Downing Street. | At the 2016 Scottish parliament elections, the party achieved its best performance in a quarter of a century, pushing Scottish Labour into third place, and in the snap general election a year later, 13 Scottish Tory MPs were elected, a result that was key to keeping the then prime minister, Theresa May, in Downing Street. |
| Davidson, a prominent remain campaigner, has been open about her doubts over Boris Johnson’s leadership, issuing a defiant challenge on the eve of his first visit to Scotland as prime minister, saying she would refuse to back a no-deal Brexit. | Davidson, a prominent remain campaigner, has been open about her doubts over Boris Johnson’s leadership, issuing a defiant challenge on the eve of his first visit to Scotland as prime minister, saying she would refuse to back a no-deal Brexit. |
| There is some speculation that Davidson would like to see a smooth handover to her deputy, Jackson Carlaw, who was interim leader when she was on maternity leave. Other names mooted as potential successors include Adam Tomkins, the party’s constitution spokesman, and the health spokesman, Miles Briggs. | There is some speculation that Davidson would like to see a smooth handover to her deputy, Jackson Carlaw, who was interim leader when she was on maternity leave. Other names mooted as potential successors include Adam Tomkins, the party’s constitution spokesman, and the health spokesman, Miles Briggs. |
| Ruth Davidson | Ruth Davidson |
| Conservatives | Conservatives |
| Scottish politics | Scottish politics |
| Scotland | Scotland |
| Brexit | Brexit |
| Boris Johnson | Boris Johnson |
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