Ruth Davidson to REPLACE Theresa May? Poll reveals Tory is 'best option for Brexit'

[Denzil_DC]

(A continuation of what has been described as my preoccupation with the idea of Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson standing for UK Tory leader. I also figured we could do with some light relief in these grim times, but didn't imagine I'd find it in the pages of the Express.)

RUTH DAVIDSON is an “attractive proposition” and the most popular senior Conservative in the eyes of the public who has “boosted her credentials” as a future leader of the Conservative party, a new poll has claimed.

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WPI Strategy Director Nick Faith said: “All the other potential candidates - except for Ruth Davidson - are seen as more likely to drive support away from the Conservatives.

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As a current member of the Scottish parliament, the senior Tory is unable to run for the position.

However, with veteran colleague Sir Nicholas Soames rumoured to be readying himself to stand aside as the MP for Mid Sussex, there could be an opportunity for Ms Davidson to make a move down south.

https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/912246/Ruth-Davidson-Theresa-May-Brexit-general-election-Boris-Johnson-David-Davis-Amber-Rudd

The YouGov poll (commissioned by the Westminster Policy Institute Strategy PR consultancy) offers some lukewarm comfort to Theresa May, as it seems 41% of respondents thought she should stay put. Unfortunately, this seems to be because her suggested possible replacements are seen as even greater liabilities.

Respondents thought Boris Johnson and David Davis would each lose the Tories 9% of the vote and Amber Rudd would cost them 10% (for some reason, Brexit darling Jacob Rees-Mogg didn't figure in the poll). They thought that Davidson, by contrast, would equal May's performance in the last general election, which was such a roaring success for the party.

I hate to discourage this wave of excitement, but there are at least a couple of snags. Davidson's Tories' support in Scotland is sagging, and they've fallen back into third place behind Scottish Labour, as the latest Survation/Daily Record poll showed:



Then there's the question of Soames generously bequeathing his seat. There have indeed been recent persistent rumours in the right-wing press that he's ready to spark a by-election by resigning and retiring to the Lords. But most of those spreading the rumours haven't checked with the man himself. Well, until a couple of days ago ...

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Tom Newton Dunn
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@tnewtondunn

Poll reveals @RuthDavidsonMSP is voters’ front runner to replace Theresa May as the most popular senior Tory. Will @NSoames stand aside to give her a seat?https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/5462108/ruth-davidson-now-voters-number-one-replace-may/ …

Nicholas Soames
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@NSoames

#Tomyouknowthststotalballsgetagrip

Tom Newton Dunn
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@tnewtondunn
Replying to @NSoames @RuthDavidsonMSP

It’s a great rumour...

Nicholas Soames
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@NSoames

#butitsbollockslowgradebullshit