How a popular politician boosted an unpopular party in Scotland

LONDON -- The Conservatives in Scotland have just had an extraordinary week -- gaining 31 seats in the Scottish Parliament elections and pushing Labour into third place, ending years of tepid performances in the polls.

They’re now effectively the opposition to the Scottish National Party (SNP) and their hopes for independence, and much of that turnaround can be credited to one woman.

Ruth Davidson, who comfortably won Edinburgh Central, an area where the Conservatives previously placed fourth, has become the driving force of the Tories in Scotland, winning over voters and inspiring others to join to the party along the way.

She’s not just well liked in her own party, she’s really well liked. A poll by Conservative Home earlier this month gave her a far higher score than any other politician.

A charismatic, razor-sharp politician who’s managed to win some of those crucial hearts and minds IRL as well as in the notoriously fickle waters of social media, she’s sidestepped so many of the usual pitfalls on her way to the top of the Conservative party in Scotland – and quite possibly eventually nationwide.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

There are a number of reasons Davidson has become the popular figurehead of an unpopular party in Scotland, but her Twitter presence provides a good first insight into why she stands apart from her peers.

So many politicians fail on the platform in so many ways. It feels like there’s an Ed Balls up most weeks. At best they’re often just uninspiring automatons.

Davidson, though, bucks the trend. Whether it’s shutting down homophobes or wading into the debate over whether to lower flags to half mast for Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah, she’s usually quick with a quip.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

On Friday, when she was referred to as a blonde bombshell (she’s brunette) she was quick with a response.

And witness this zinger in response to Labour's Jim Murphy just over a year ago.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Tweets obviously reflect the character of the tweeter, and Davidson’s easy going and open personality has allowed her to push party lines to a diverse and modern audience.

Young, working class, Christian, openly gay and driven by liberal values, she famously described herself as a “tough old bird” but she has an affability that charms most who meet her. She also has in bucket loads that elusive characteristic – relatability – that so many politicians would give their second homes for.

On top of that she has some real world experience, having served in the Territorial Army, making it out to Kosovo and injuring her back at one point. Her stint as a producer and presenter for the BBC at the start of her career, meanwhile, has gifted her the gab essential to succeed in politics.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Davidson's pro-Union stance has helped, too. While her Labour counterpart Kezia Dugdale couldn’t seem to get her position on Scottish independence straight, Davidson stuck firmly to her guns.

Her reaction to her win Friday gave a clue to her pragmatism. "I am under no illusion that everybody who voted for me in that seat is a true-blue, dyed-in-the wool Tory, and neither are they in places up and down Scotland,” she said, acknowledging the party’s reputation across the country.

"They are people who want us to do a very specific job, and that it is to hold the SNP to account."

As a former kick-boxer with a hefty posse behind her, Davidson is very well placed to do exactly that in the days to come.

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.