Hello and thank you for downloading this edition of the political party podcast featuring the leader of the Scottish Conservatives Ruth Davidson MSP.

One of the most popular politicians around, one of the most likable, very funny, very informal, with a lovely inappropriate sense of humour,

but an absolute resolute political brain and having met Ruth informally before the show.

One of the most interesting politicians, I think there is around at the moment, and just to be a Conservative in Scotland and be popular is a real personal achievement on her part.

She is the recent politicians that sparkle and she is one of them.

I hope you enjoyed this interview. It was recorded at the end of the festival in August, so just a couple of months ago, and we get straight on with it.

There was no standard for the start of this one, so straight in with Ruth Davidson.

Thank you very much everyone. Welcome to the show. I don't know if anyone came to the one last show I did with Jim Murphy and I did another one with Eddie Black, I think.

Willie Black, who was a yes campaigner in the referendum, so I do a monthly show in London where I interview various different politicians every month, and try and just do politics in a way that is more positive and more lighthearted and more human,

and interview people from across the ideological divide, and in the last couple of years, into Nigel Farage, Tony Blair, Tommy Robinson, a variety of people, and tonight a politician that has been a fan of for a very long time.

Sometimes it is really hard to stand out in an era where the brand you represent in an area can be quite toxic, and that is something in the Labour Party is currently struggling with in Scotland.

It is remarkable then that one of the most popular politicians in Scotland is a Conservative. Please give a wonderful welcome to a great guest, Ruth Davidson.

Thank you very much.

I should say it is a leader of the Scottish Conservatives, as I am sure everyone is aware of. I wanted to start with something quite topical.

There is a poll that has come out this week that has put the S&P first, the Conservative second, and Labour third. Is that something you think will end your?

I think I have put a bit of caveats on that. It is the sub sample of a UK White poll, so this kind of usual margin of error applies.

It is not the first one we have had this year. I hope very much to keep it going. I think that in May you will see hopefully the Scottish Conservatives get their best result in a Scottish election, and more than likely, unless the new leader can turn things around pretty quick.

You will see the Labour Party get its worst result in Scotland. Whether they cross over is up to the voters to decide.

I certainly think that the two million people that vote to know at the referendum deserve a voice in Hollywood. I want to be that voice.

Are you watching the Labour Party leadership election with as much amusement as I presume you are?

As a Conservative in Scotland, I have some first-hand knowledge of a political party that is having a complete nervous breakdown in public.

It is funny that you would think that this kind of shard and Freud would really kick in.

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