Ruth Davidson should have been Tory leader. Instead, she’s on the sidelines | Ian Birrell

The former leader’s resignation is a grim blow for Tory moderates, who have lost their party to a fanatical cabalThe resignation of a Scottish Tory leader does not tend to be seismic political news. I doubt, for instance, many people south of the border could recall the name of the last woman to stand down from this post eight years ago. Yet Ruth Davidson has always been different, from her personal story to her style of politics – and this is why her decision to step back from the frontline has such immense significance for both the Conservative party and the future of the union.Davidson was a breath of fresh air after taking over the post from the doughty Annabel Goldie, narrowly grabbing the leadership just months after becoming an MSP. She quickly attracted attention as someone who was charming, pugnacious and unusually witty for a politician, seemingly content in her own skin, comfortable on social media, and unconcerned about exposing personal contradictions as a gay, Christian, Tory promoting her party in a place where the brand had become poison. Continue reading…
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