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Ruth Davidson: A determined, likeable leader on her way up

Ruth Davidson celebrates being elected Conservative MSP for Edinburgh Central
Ruth Davidson celebrates being elected Conservative MSP for Edinburgh Central

Most of the time, coming second is the worst place to finish.

But for Ruth Davidson, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, the silver medal – seized from a humiliated Labour – represents an historic victory.

In the days leading up to the Holyrood elections, she declared her party would replace Labour as the main opposition in the Scottish Parliament.

And her confidence – backed up by more than one poll this week predicting Labour would come in third – has been borne out.

With all constituencies and regions declared, it became official – the Scottish Tories are now the second largest party.

To be properly appreciated, the result must be evaluated in the context of Labour’s dominance in Scottish politics throughout the second half of the 20th century and – from a Westminster point of view – until recently.

The Scottish Conservatives have fared better in the Scottish Parliament, helped of course by the proportional representation system of election, although lost seats in 2011.

It should also be set against the backdrop of the Scottish electorate’s complete and utter rejection of the Tories at last year’s general election when the party again won just a single seat.

In light of all this, the feat Ms Davidson has pulled off – with particular success in the north-east – shines even brighter.

Ruth Davidson's Tories secured their best ever Holyrood result
Ruth Davidson’s Tories secured their best ever Holyrood result

And she is gleaming too – on a personal level – after winning the Edinburgh Central constituency.

Contrast this with the scale of Scottish Labour Leader Kezia Dugdale’s defeat – a mere bronze and let’s be honest it won’t feel like a medal at all.

She also endured having to watch her rival cross the line in first place moments after she learned she had failed to win Edinburgh Eastern.

So how to explain Ms Davidson’s appeal, given the Tories’ dismal record in Scotland?

Since getting behind the wheel, she has shown she’s not afraid to chart her own path.

Most recently, she urged the UK to take in unaccompanied child refugees in Europe while David Cameron was arguing against such a move.

And at Prime Ministers Questions this week, in the face of a defeat at Westminster, he climbed down on the issue.

As a result of the change of heart, children registered in Greece, Italy or France before the EU’s 20 March refugee deal with Turkey will now be eligible for resettlement in the UK.

Coupled with this ability to stand apart to some degree, there’s her personality. She has the like-ability factor.

All of this has led some to suggest she could now end up being a victim of her own success and be tempted south of the border when Mr Cameron stands down.

Ms Davidson has repeatedly batted away the idea and thrown her weight behind a campaign for the PM to stay on as Tory leader beyond his second term.

But even Mr Cameron – when asked last year – hinted at the prospect, refusing to put a limit on her ambition.

Whether she is interested or not, today’s second place has most certainly upped the ante. Move on up.