6:18 a.m. ET, August 29, 2019
Ruth Davidson to Johnson: Get us a deal with the EU
Peter Summers/Getty Images
Ruth Davidson has been holding a news conference after announcing she will step down as Scottish Conservatives leader.
"This has been a remarkable time in politics and I will always be thankful for the opportunity to have a front seat as Scottish political history was being made," she said.
Personal and professional: Davidson called her role in campaigning for Scotland to remain within the United Kingdom in 2014 "the most important contribution of my working life."
She attributes the decision to step down to both "personal and professional" factors, noting the "conflict" she has felt over Brexit -- which she opposed, in line with most Scottish voters.
"The biggest change, however, has been starting a family," she says, adding that the prospect of spending hundreds of hours campaigning "now fills me with dread."
She confirms she will continue as a Member for the Scottish Parliament until her term ends in 2021, and will "continue to support the party and the Prime Minister."
What about Brexit? Davidson adds that both the Scottish and Brexit referendums have split opinion across the UK. "The vast majority of people who go into politics do so for the right reasons," she says. "Respect is what is missing from our debate," she goes on.
But asked what role Johnson's pursuit of a no-deal Brexit played in the decision, Davidson says "we had three golden opportunities to support a deal." She says anti-Brexit MPs "had a goal gaping" but "hit the bar" by not supporting Theresa May's Brexit deal.
Davidson again urges MPs across the aisle to vote for a deal at the fourth attempt, adding that Johnson is attempting to secure a deal. "Let the EU hear you say you will vote" for a deal, she tells MPs.
She says she spoke to Johnson last night, and her message to him is this: "Prime Minister, get us a deal with the European Union." To lawmakers, she again adds: "For God's sake, get behind it."
“I asked him outright, look, I need to know, are you actually trying to get a deal or not,” Davidson says, adding that Johnson “categorically assured me” that he was.