Scottish Tory election success was down to "massive political miscalculation" from Nicola Sturgeon, says Ruth Davidson

Ruth Davidson - credit: Scottish Conservatives

The Scottish Conservatives’ success in the general election was down to “a massive political miscalculation” from Nicola Sturgeon in pushing for a second referendum on Scottish independence, according to Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson.

Speaking in Edinburgh, the Tory leader hailed the performance of her party’s candidates after the party won 13 seats in Scotland – the Tories best result north of the border since 1983.

But with Theresa May losing her majority, Davidson also acknowledged the Tories’ performance across the UK “fell short of expectations”, while calling for those within her party to listen to voters and deliver “an open Brexit”.

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She said: “It is incumbent on us to listen to other parties in Parliament, and people outside it, about the best way forward.

“It is the policy of both the Conservative party and the UK Labour party to respect the Brexit referendum result.

“That means we are leaving the leaving the European Union. We are leaving the Common Fisheries Policy.

“At the same time we must in my view seek to deliver an open Brexit, not a closed one, which puts our country’s economic growth first.”

With Nicola Sturgeon using an appearance at Bute House to say she would reflect on the implications of the result for her plans for a second referendum, Davidson demanded the SNP give Scotland “a break” from constitutions, adding, “simply put, Scotland has had its fill.”

Davidson said: “This morning, we have heard SNP figures acknowledge that the referendum demands were behind its bad result.

“We have heard the First Minister say she will “reflect” on the matter. I’m afraid that’s not enough.

“Let me be clear: nobody, not me, not anyone, is expecting the SNP to give up on independence. That is what it believes in and it is a perfectly honourable position to take. What people do expect is that, right now, the SNP gives Scotland a break. Simply put, Scotland has had its fill.

“We need to focus on the challenges we face on education, on NHS funding, on the new tax and welfare powers – as well as the huge challenge of Brexit.

“Nobody will condemn the First Minister if she now decides to re-set her course. This is her opportunity to do so - and I urge her to take it immediately. She must take it off the table.”

The party received 738,000 votes, 28.6 per cent of the vote, and unseated both Alex Salmond and Angus Robertson in the process.

The result represents a 13.7 per cent increase from the 2015 General Election, in which the party elected just one MP in Scotland.