Ruth Davidson is a journalist, broadcaster, author, and politician who led the Scottish Conservative Party for eight years. Under her leadership, the party achieved its best electoral performance in thirty-five years. She played a key role in the Scottish independence and EU referendum campaigns, participating in live debates at the Glasgow Hydro and Wembley Arena. As the first openly gay leader of a major UK political party and the first to give birth in office, she has made significant strides in public life.
Ruth often discusses gender, inclusion, and equality, using her experiences to advocate for authentic leadership. With a background as a BBC journalist and a Territorial Army soldier, she emphasises individual expression, trust, and leadership development in large organisations. Her close professional relationships with successive Prime Ministers and her experience in the UK Cabinet provide her with a unique perspective on the political landscape in Scotland and the UK.
Her book, "Yes She Can – Why Women Own the Future", presents a positive view of global gender advancement, highlighting women's progress towards equality and the challenges that remain. It features insights from influential women such as Christine Lagarde, Dame Katherine Grainger, and Melinda French Gates, whom she interviewed for the research.
Although focused on the Scottish Parliament, Ruth has built a UK-wide platform. She is a skilled political communicator, appearing on shows like "Have I Got News for You", "The One Show", and celebrity editions of "The Chase" and "Bake Off", as well as on "Newsnight" and "Question Time". She was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people, alongside figures like Jacinda Ardern and Prince Harry.
Before entering politics, Ruth worked as a presenter, producer, and documentary maker in broadcast journalism. After stepping down as party leader, she returned to journalism, providing political commentary for various publications, hosting a weekly show on Times Radio, and co-hosting Sky's "Electoral Dysfunction" podcast with Beth Rigby.
In this session, Ruth Davidson gives an overview of British politics, in Westminster and Edinburgh. She shares her story from journalism to politics, including leading the Scottish Conservatives, changing perceptions of the party and herself, and diversity in politics. Ruth also discusses the importance of destigmatising mental health support, and her personal experience as an LGBTQ+ member of the Scottish Parliament.
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