RUTH Davidson may help fight for the union in indyref2 but has confirmed she will not stand for election again.
Speaking at the Wigtown Book Festival, she said: "It's a fairly open secret that I think I'm going to see out my term.
"I'm giving myself the option to change my mind but I don't think that I will stand again."
However, she said she'd join pro-union campaign efforts if indyref2 is called, stating: "I hope there won't be a next time.
"I will do what I can to stop that happening, but if it is happening there is absolutely no way that I am going to sit it out.
"This is my country, it's what I've fought for, it's what I believe in.
"And whether anyone wants me to hold a position or whether they want me to go round, knock doors and hand out leaflets, I'm happy doing both."
She went on: "I’ve just left a big job, I’m not angling for another, I could be yesterday’s news a week on Tuesday.
"I’m not going to pretend that I would be best the person for the job, if it ever happens, in ten or 15 years time, but if people want a hand then I’ll help.”
Davidson, who represents Edinburgh Central at Holyrood, stepped down as leader of the Scottish Conservatives in August.
The move came after the birth of her son and she said a desire to spend more time with her family, not Boris Johnson's rise to PM, was behind the decision.
Davidson had been a vocal critic of Johnson, clashing with him during the Brexit referendum, and her decision to vacate the leadership role came one day after he announced plans to prorogue parliament.
At the festival, she told journalist Sarah Smith that she had been "hopelessly conflicted by Brexit" as leader.
She went on to say that although she and Boris Johnson were "not buddy, buddy pals", she did not leave due to disagreements with him.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel