Douglas Ross thanks Ruth Davidson for service to UK politics

MORAY'S Conservative MP Douglas Ross has thanked resigning Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson for her service, calling it "an honour" to work with her.

Ruth Davidson stepped down just before 11am today (Thursday, August 29), a day after the decision by Conservative leader Boris Johnson to suspend Parliament.

Ms Davidson's statement, posted on Twitter, talked about Brexit, but said the most important factor in her stepping down was having started a young family.

Mr Ross is sad to see her leave her role. He said: "As leader of the Scottish Conservatives for almost eight years, Ruth transformed our party while working tirelessly for Scotland and the UK and I’m very sorry to see her step down.

"I know myself how difficult it is juggling politics as a new parent and this has clearly had a role to play in Ruth’s decision, so I wish her well spending more time with her lovely family.

"It was an honour to be elected as part of her team to the Scottish Parliament in 2016 and be asked to serve in her first shadow cabinet as the main opposition party at Holyrood. In 2017 when I was elected MP for Moray, joining 12 other Scottish Conservative MPs, this was largely down to Ruth’s campaigning and popularity.

"As Ruth moves on from front line politics, we all wish her the very best and thank her for her service to the party and our country."

Jamie Halcro-Johnston, list Conservative MSP for the Highlands and Islands, added: "Ruth made an enormous contribution to our Party and to protecting the union.

"The Scottish Conservatives are now indisputably the main challengers to the SNP and the most effective defenders of the United Kingdom.

"We will all miss her in her role as leader of the party and I wish her and her family the very best for the future."

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