Ruth Davidson Wins Scottish Tory Leader Race

Scottish Conservatives have elected newcomer Ruth Davidson as their new leader.

The 32-year-old only entered the Scottish Parliament in May as a regional MSP for Glasgow.

Ms Davidson replaces Annabel Goldie, who announced her intention to step down days after losing two seats in the Scottish election.

Prime Minister David Cameron said: "I am delighted to congratulate Ruth on winning this leadership election and look forward to working with her to strengthen the Union and build a better future for Scotland."

Holyrood group. She won the election in three rounds, leading at each stage.

Following the declaration at a hotel in Edinburgh today, she said: "With the radical, generational change that I represent, this is a unique opportunity for us to rebuild the party and to once again become a powerful, meaningful and relevant force in Scottish politics and in Scottish life.

"Our loyal and hard-working members in the associations and constituencies are the lifeblood of our party.

"But there has been a failure to fully involve them both in policy development and party management and strategy. That will now change."

Turning to the forthcoming referendum on Scottish independence, she said: "We in the Scottish Conservatives have a duty as well as an opportunity to be the party that stands up for Scotland as a vital component of the Union.

"We must not allow the SNP to tear up that right. Scotland is not being served if politicians behave like rabbits caught in the headlights of Salmond's separatist steamroller.

"We must have the courage and conviction to stop him in his tracks by always presenting and promoting the positive case for the Union."

Ms Davidson, a former BBC journalist, was inspired to enter frontline politics by David Cameron's call for fresh faces in the wake of the MPs expenses scandal.

She fought the Glasgow North East by-election in 2009 - a seat the party was never likely to win - and worked for Miss Goldie before gaining a seat in Holyrood as the only Tory MSP in the Glasgow region.

Ms Davidson, who is openly gay, is a member of the Church of Scotland and counts kickboxing among her hobbies.