Ruth Davidson uses reshuffle to put Nicola Sturgeon 'on notice' she wants to be First Minister

Ruth Davidson has put Nicola Sturgeon “on notice” that she intends to replace her as First Minister at the next Holyrood election after unveiling a reshuffle of her top team.

The Scottish Tory leader said the move, in which she created a new post of chief policy coordinator, demonstrated her determination to provide a credible alternative government by 2021.

It is understood that Donald Cameron, who has been handed the policy role, will oversee the creation over the next four years of a comprehensive programme for government as the Tories seek to broaden their support beyond their Unionist base.

Ms Davidson announced the reshuffle the day after Ms Sturgeon refused to remove the threat of a second independence referendum. Although she announced a delay in her original plan for a spring 2019 vote, she said she will return to parliament with a new timetable next year.

Speaking after the Nationalists lost half a million votes and 21 seats in this month’s General Election, Ms Davidson said “the SNP’s bubble has burst” and Scots wanted a government “committed to the day job.”

The Scottish Tory leader said: “Now we have to step it up. I am serious about offering the voters of Scotland a choice at those elections with the Conservatives as a credible alternative government of Scotland.  

"It's not enough to simply point out where the SNP has performed badly or let Scotland down. This is about showing what we'd do differently and how we can move Scotland forward…Nicola Sturgeon is being put on notice.”

Welcoming his appointment, Mr Cameron pledged the party will produce “a manifesto that draws on a wide range of expertise in all policy areas, proposing our vision for Scotland, and confirming us as a government-in-waiting.”

The Highlands and Islands MSP was educated at Harrow and is an advocate and the son of the chief of Clan Cameron. He owns Achnacarry Estate near Fort William and is the non-executive director of two Edinburgh-based financial trusts.

Miles Briggs replaced Mr Cameron as Shadow Health Minister in the reshuffle, with Liam Kerr promoted to Shadow Justice Minister and Rachel Hamilton to Shadow Culture and Tourism Minister. Maurice Golden was appointed the new chief whip.

Three vacancies were created in the team when MSPs John Lamont, Ross Thomson and Douglas Ross won Westminster seats in this month’s General Election.

Among the MSPs to retain the same brief following the reshuffle were Murdo Fraser in finance, Liz Smith in education, Dean Lockhart in economy and Peter Chapman in rural affairs.

An SNP spokesman attacked Mr Cameron’s wealth, saying: “If this is the man expected to write their manifesto then it’s clearer than ever that the Tories are only interested in standing up for the wealthiest at the expense of everyone else.”