Ruth Davidson: Scottish Conservative leader hints at future Westminster bid

The popular leader suggested she would consider swapping Holyrood for Westminster after 2021 Scottish Parliament election

Ms Davidson has always maintained that her sights were set on ousting Nicola Sturgeon to become Scotland’s First Minister, rather than leading the Westminster party (AFP/Getty)

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson has admitted for the first time that she would consider standing as an MP at Westminster if she fails to win the next Holyrood election.

Ms Davidson – who has been touted as a possible successor to Theresa May – has always maintained that her sights were set on ousting Nicola Sturgeon to become Scotland’s First Minister, rather than leading the Westminster party.

But in her strongest signal yet, the Edinburgh Central MSP said she would be open to “other conversations” after the 2021 Scottish Parliament elections.

Ms Davidson has become an increasingly influential figure in the Conservative Party after reviving its fortunes north of the border, where the Tories have replaced Labour as the main party of opposition in Holyrood.

Under her leadership, the number of Scottish Tory MPs swelled from one to 13, which has given her huge clout with the weakened Prime Minister after the Tories lost their parliamentary majority in the June election.

In an interview with The Spectator, where she was asked what could happen her party came third in the next Scottish election, she said: “I’ve been leader of the party now for six years. My two predecessors lasted six and a half years each.”

By 2021, she would have been in charge of the party for “significantly longer” than them, and said: “Then we can start other conversations.”

Asked if those would include conversations about her coming 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.”

Ms Davidson said she would only stand for a Scottish seat, following speculation that Tory grandee Sir Nicholas Soames was considering stepping aside to offer her the safe Mid Sussex constituency.

Last month, Ms Davidson was a guest of honour at a dinner hosted by Sir Nicholas, who is the grandson of Sir Winston Churchill.

She also said Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn would be “eminently beatable” in the 2022 general election, and compared the veteran MP’s personal popularity with the support for SNP leader Ms Sturgeon.

Ms Davidson said: “We saw Nicola Sturgeon doing political rallies to 10,500 people at the Glasgow Hydro, release a signature clothing range, sell foam fingers with her name on.

“We had seen this kind of momentum build behind a seemingly unstoppable force before — then two years later, she went and lost 40 per cent because we dug in. You don’t run, you just keep restating your case.

“And I don’t believe that Jeremy Corbyn is unstoppable. I think he’s eminently beatable in 2022.”

She described Ms May as “warm and self-deprecating”, adding: “When she’s comfortable with somebody, she can be good company.”

A Scottish Conservative spokesman said: “Ruth’s only focus is on winning the 2021 Scottish elections. Scotland needs a change after 10 years of the SNP and the Scottish Conservatives intend to provide it.”