New era dawns for Scottish Conservatives as Ruth wins leadership contest

New Scottish Conservative & Unionist leader Ruth Davidson tonight hailed her victory as the first step in 'an exciting new era for the party and the hundreds of thousands of Scots who share our values'.

And she appealed to the whole party – from the grassroots to MSPs and grandees – to come together in a concerted and determined to effort to restore Scottish Conservatives to their winning ways in Scotland – and for Scotland.

'With the radical, generational change that I represent, this is a unique opportunity for us to rebuild the party and to once again become a powerful, meaningful and relevant force in Scottish politics and in Scottish life,' she said.

Ruth has become the first leader of the entire party, not just the Scottish Conservative group of MSPs at Holyrood. She said she now fully intended to fulfil her campaign pledge to engage all level of members in both the rebuilding and development of the party.

'Our loyal and hard-working members in the associations and constituencies are the lifeblood of our party. But there has been a failure to fully involve them both in policy development and party management and strategy. That will now change,' she said.

She said it was essential the party now reached out to people across Scotland, 'to all those who share our Conservative values and principles but have stopped listening to us. We need to re-engage with them also and prove to them that we are the party of hope and aspiration'.

Ruth, who led at each stage of the transferable vote ballot, thanked her three fellow candidates, Jackson Carlaw, Murdo Fraser and Margaret Mitchell, for a 'keenly-fought and energetic' campaign and called on them to support her in her task of revitalising the party.

'The Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party is very much alive and kicking. That has been very clear in the exhilarating debate we have had during this campaign,' she said.

'It is now up to all of us to build on that momentum and drive the party forward to a new and exciting age of success.'

Ruth added: 'I want to make another pledge tonight, and it is this – that the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party proclaims the partnership between Scotland and the United Kingdom and will strive to drive back the tide of separatism that threatens a union that has stood the test of time.

'While Alex Salmond tries to frog-march us towards separation we must rise above his negative agenda and give the Scottish people the good news about the Union and why independence could never match it.

'We in the Scottish Conservatives have a duty as well as an opportunity to be the party that stands up for Scotland as a vital component of the Union.

'We must not allow the SNP to tear up that right. Scotland is not being served if politicians behave like rabbits caught in the headlights of Salmond's separatist steam-roller. We must have the courage and conviction to stop him in his tracks by always presenting and promoting the positive case for the Union.

'Of course, a union that does not adapt and evolve will inevitably become stale, so it is essential that we adjust, refresh and revitalise the partnership. But strong, enduring marriages do not end in divorce; they continue to provide safety, security and mutual benefit and respect. That will always be worth fighting for.'

Ruth said: 'This is a time of generational change for the Scottish Conservatives, a party for all, regardless of age and of background. I want everyone to feel that they have a place, a role and a voice that can and should be heard. I want to engage the whole party from the grassroots up and to extend that conversation with the electorate at large.

'The hard work starts here. Today is the first day of a new and bright future of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party.'

Her campaign manager, John Lamont MSP, said: 'I am delighted that Ruth has triumphed. We fought a good campaign and I am pleased the membership has seized this opportunity to put the party back on the winning tracks.'

David Mundell, Scotland's sole Conservative MP, said: 'Ruth embodies the radical, generational change that the party needs to rebuild and reclaim its place at the heart of Scottish politics and Scottish life. I look forward to working closely with her and I am certain she will be a first-class leader for the whole Party.'

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