It has been the privilege of my life to serve as the leader of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist party. The almost eight years I’ve spent at the helm have coincided with one of the most remarkable and important periods of recent Scottish political history.
I am proud of the teams we have built in Holyrood, Westminster and in council chambers across the country and proud of our electoral successes in recent years.
All of that pales in significance compared to the vital role our party undertook in the Scottish independence referendum of 2014. I will always consider that the most important contribution of my working life and my commitment to keeping the United Kingdom together remains undimmed.
None of the achievements mentioned above would have been possible without your [Robert Forman, Chairman Scottish Conservatives] support, guidance and friendship – along with the hard work and professionalism of the Scottish Conservative team at central office. For all of this, thank you.
Inevitably, much has changed over the years of my leadership — both personally and in the wider political context. While I have not hidden the conflict I have felt over Brexit, I have attempted to chart a course for our party which recognises and respects the referendum result, while seeking to maximise opportunities and mitigate risks for key Scottish businesses and sectors.
I hope and believe that industries as diverse as our fishing fleets and whisky producers have felt well represented by the Scottish Conservatives during this time.
The biggest change, of course, has been starting a family. I cannot thank you, Jackson Carlaw and the wider party enough for the generosity and support you have all shown to Jen and me following the birth of baby Finn. It made my return to work in April as smooth as I could have hoped and I believe the flexibility shown by colleagues has allowed me these last months to continue operating successfully in my role as leader.
However, as I look to the future, I see the Scottish Election due in 2021 and a credible threat from our opponents to force a general election before then. Having led our party through seven national elections and two referenda, I know the efforts, hours and travel required to fight such campaigns successfully. I have to be honest that where the idea of getting on the roads to fight two elections in 20 months would once have fired me up, the threat of spending hundreds of hours away from my home and family now fills me with dread. That is no way to lead.
Additionally, I fear that having tried to be a good leader over the years, I have proved a poor daughter, sister, partner and friend. The party and my work has always come first, often at the expense of commitments to loved ones. The arrival of my son means I now make a different choice.
While I offer you my resignation as party leader, I intend to continue in my role as the MSP for Edinburgh Central until 2021. I will always, always be thankful for the opportunity to serve and to the amazing teams I have worked alongside.
Be assured I will continue to support the party, the Prime Minister and Scotland’s place in the United Kingdom from the backbenches and beyond.
In terms of final thoughts. I believe that two referenda have split Scotland and indeed opinion in the UK and I am convinced that referenda should be used to affirm public opinion, but not as a way for political leaders to fail to lead. Looking at the division in our politics, I make this plea.
The vast majority of people who go into politics do so for the right reasons, to improve their communities and their countries. And I believe we should always remember that. Respect is what is missing from our debates. And without respect, you cannot have understanding and you cannot unite, which is what we in Scotland and in the UK need to do.
Ruth Davidson press conference Q&A
Brian Taylor (BBC): Thanks very much for your statement. I appreciate your knowledge and the point make there about it being both personal and professional. But if I may stick to the political for a second and be very clear about the questions on the subject of the political problems that you face, do you think when you look at the pursuit of a possible no-deal Brexit that the UK government’s policy with regard to the European Union is wise and sensible?
Ruth Davidson: Well, in terms of the politics and the political colliding, I should know. I’m about to marry an Irish woman and there’s a very famous Irish saying that if you want to get somewhere, you wouldn’t necessarily start from here. Counselling, I don’t know, Ken Clarke and Harriet Harman on job shares as prime minister. The simplest way to avoid no deal is to vote for deal and I’ve never served in the House of Commons. I’m not an aficionado of Erskine May, but my understanding is you can’t bring back legislation that’s already been voted down, so if it requires a new Queen’s speech to bring back a deal, what I would say is, what I would urge is to colleagues who want to avoid no deal: Vote for a deal. You’ve had three opportunities. You blew every one of them. Don’t blow a fourth. I know the Prime Minister is seeking to get a deal. I’ve had long conversations with him on this point, and I believe him when he says that he’s seeking to get a deal. And please, for those people who are trying to avoid no deal, make it clear, make it clear now that if a deal comes back to the House of Commons, you will vote for it and let the EU hear you say that you will vote for it so that they understand that there is a reason for them to reopen negotiations.
Peter Smith (ITV News): You’ve obviously got a lot of personal reasons. Would you like to deliver a message directly to Boris Johnson today? Tell me what you think his current Brexit path is going to be for Scotland’s place in the UK?
RD: I’m happy to give out a public message to him. It’s the same as the message conveyed to him yesterday when we had a conversation last night. Prime Minister, get us a deal on the European Union. And what I say to people that say they want to avoid no deal is what I’ve just said. If the Prime Minister brings a deal back to the House of Commons, as I know he is trying to do, for God’s sake, get behind it. And this time the fourth time of asking, vote for it.
Journalist: If you can’t stand four-square behind Boris Johnson, why should the Scottish public and indeed the British public? And tell me this. Has he weakened the union and is stepping down, have you?
RD: I’ve made clear of both in my statement and the questions have already answered that I stand absolutely four-square behind the Prime Minister’s attempts to bring back a deal that can pass in the House of Commons and I asked my colleagues to pass them, too. And what I would say to them, as well as the letter that I published that I wrote to the Chairman of the Scottish Party. I’ve also written a formal letter to the Prime Minister as well, and it’s up to his office if he chooses to publish it or not. I’m happy for him to do so. Where I have personally thanked him for his commitment to facing down another second independence referendum to securing Scottish place in the Union and to, in his short time that we’ve worked together since his election as prime minister, to his positivity, enthusiasm, his understanding in terms of an engagement with Scottish events, but also his understanding that warm words often aren’t enough. They have to be backed up by resource as well.
Journalist: You accused the Leave campaign and Boris Johnson of not telling the truth during the EU referendum campaign. Do you now believe those people who are running the government, including Boris Johnson, for being honest about the prospects of a no deal, about their reasons for suspending Parliament. Can you, in good faith, defend the position of the Tory party now under Boris Johnson?
RD: Well, look, there has been a lot that has been written about my relationship with the Prime Minister. I went to Downing Street to meet him last week in a private meeting. I stared him right in the eye. I asked him outright, look, I need to know, are you actually trying to get a deal or not? And he categorically assured me that he was. He believes that his efforts in Biarritz has helped open the door a crack. I know that what would help further would be for people who want to avoid no deal to come out and say that if a deal is brought back to parliament, that they would back it, that they have failed to do that three times already. So I want him to get that deal. I believe that’s what he and his government are working towards and I support him in that effort.
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