Tories to look at options: Davidson

Jan 25 2013

The Scottish Conservatives will be taking a "long, considered, forensic look" at all the options as they set out their proposals for Scotland's future over the coming months, the party's leader Ruth Davidson said.

Ms Davidson refused to rule out the prospect of more powers for Holyrood in the event of a 'No' vote in the independence referendum in 2014, as she delivered a speech on the Tories' future in Edinburgh.

Speaking afterwards, she said: "I was elected as a leader on a mandate of change. To change the Scottish Conservative Party and change the way the party connects with the people of Scotland.

"In terms of the debate, the debate has moved a great deal in the last year. We now know what the parameters are for a referendum on independence.

"But the conversation on the constitutional future of Scotland doesn't begin and end with that referendum.

"It will continue and the Scottish Conservatives must have a voice - a strong and positive voice - in that conversation."

Ms Davidson said the Tories would be "rolling out their stall" over the next few weeks and months to let people know what they will be offering after the referendum, by "looking and assessing and contemplating, a forensic look at all options".

She said this would inform voters of what would be contained with the party's manifestos for the 2015 and 2016 elections.

"We will be making sure people will see that before the referendum so they know the tone of the conversation, and what our voice will be in the conversation after the referendum has happened," Ms Davidson said.