Ruth Davidson hailed a conquering hero after achieving best election results for Tories in Scotland in 35 years
The Conservatives soared from just one MP north of the border to 13, essentially keeping Theresa May in power
SCOTTISH Tories leader Ruth Davidson was hailed a conquering hero yesterday after masterminding the party’s best result north of the border for 35 years.
The Conservatives went from just one MP in Scotland to 13, ensuring the party has a nationwide working majority in the UK — keeping Theresa May in power.
Popular Ms Davidson said the Tories had enjoyed a “historic night” — as the odds on her running the entire party tumbled.
Her masterplan, which proved superior to that of Tory HQ in Westminster, ousted SNP big beasts including Alex Salmond and Angus Robertson.
And her historic success left SNP dreams of a second independence referendum in tatters on a dramatic night in Scotland.
Last night Ms Davidson confirmed she had demanded an assurance from Mrs May that under any deal with the DUP gay rights would be protected in Britain.
She said the Tories should be using their influence to advance gay rights in Northern Ireland — the only part of the UK where people cannot have same sex marriage.
The Scottish Conservatives won their biggest vote share since 1979 with 738,000 votes — or 28.6 per cent — up from 15 per cent in the last election.
Ms Davidson said the election was dominated by independence in Scotland with SNP MPs paying the price for their leader Nicola Sturgeon’s folly in demanding a second vote.
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She said: “The Scottish people spoke. The SNP’s vote down 13 per cent. Nearly half a million votes gone between 2015 and today.
“Our vote up 13 per cent. The largest share of the vote for the Scottish Conservatives since 1979.
“SNP MPs who last night lost their seats have paid the price for what was a massive political miscalculation on Nicola Sturgeon’s part.”
And she demanded: “We have heard the First Minister say she will ‘reflect’ on the matter. I’m afraid that’s not enough.
“What people do expect is that, right now, the SNP gives Scotland a break. Simply put, Scotland has had its fill.”
The SNP lost 12 seats to the Conservatives, six to Labour and three to the Liberal Democrats as the Tory share of the vote soared in Scotland.
