Ruth Davidson

Scottish politician and peer · United Kingdom · On the map · Politicians · Born 1978 · age 48

Ruth Elizabeth Davidson, Baroness Davidson of Lundin Links, is a Scottish politician. A member of the House of Lords since 2021, she was Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party from 2011 to 2019 and Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party in the Scottish Parliament from 2020 to 2021.

Ruth Davidson is read about 87 times a day, in 17 languages.

A typical day, 30 days to 17 September 2026

The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 60 days, one point a day.

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A life in dates

2019“My plea to people in the room is: let’s use the kick up the backside the voters have given both the main parties, to really focus minds.”In their wordsSaid after the 2019 UK local elections where both the Conservatives and Labour suffered losses. Quoted by the Financial Times. RuthRead the whole statement

“Any Conservative leadership candidate must put the Union first. Jeremy [Hunt] has done so and will get my vote.”In their words26 June 2019The HeraldRead the whole statement

“We have a prime minister with one foot out the door and a leadership election which has split the party between cheerleaders for the frontrunner and anyone-but-the-frontrunner.”In their words17 June 2019The Daily TelegraphRead the whole statement

2018“You have to want it. And I don’t want to be prime minister. [. . .] I value my relationship and my mental health too much for it. I will not be a candidate.”In their wordsInterviewed by Decca Aitkenhead in "Interview: Ruth Davidson, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, on depression, her self‑harm scars andRead the whole statement

Time 100Award2016“Plenty of genuine sexism & misogyny in politics. Don't need prominent women debasing the term to cover their own poor performance. Jeez.”In their words11 September 2016Emily Thornberry accuses Sky's Murnaghan of 'sexism' BBC NewsRead the whole statement

“The advantages we gain from EU membership clearly and categorically outweigh any disadvantages that come with it. I campaigned for Scotland to stay part of a wider Union.”In their words27 February 2016Scottish Lib Dem conference: Leader Tim Farron in staunch defence of EU BBC NewsRead the whole statement

1978Born10 November 1978

People around Ruth

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Photos 6

Davidson as secondary opposition leader at a Scottish Parliament FMQs, 2014

Davidson speaking at the 2014 Conservative Party conference

Davidson meets Prince Charles, 2016

Jackson Carlaw (left) and Davidson (right) on the Scottish Conservative frontbench in 2018

Ruth Davidson at a promotional event for the 2014 Commonwealth Games (third left)

In their own words 4

Ruth Davidson

4 statements, newest first

I fear that having tried to be a good leader over the years, I have proved a poor daughter, sister, partner and friend.
29 August 2019 · Her resignation letter on Twitter (29 August 2019) cited in Ruth Davidson quits as Scottish Conservative leader BBC News, Own words
I think there are a number of people within the Conservative Party who need to take a long, hard look at themselves.
18 June 2019 · Ruth Davidson: 'Deliver Brexit, but not at expense of UK' BBC News, Own words
I’m not sure the party would be happy with a drippingly wet, pro-immigrant lesbian Scot.
2017 · Said at a party conference when asked whether she would run in the next leadership election. Quoted by the Independent. I’m convinced Ruth, Own words

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Awards

Time 1002018

About this person

She served as a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Glasgow from 2011 to 2016 and for Edinburgh Central from 2016 to 2021. Davidson is co-host of Sky News podcast Electoral Dysfunction alongside Beth Rigby and Baroness Harman.

Country

United Kingdom