Former Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson would “seriously consider” becoming a member of the House of Lords should rumours of her being nominated for a peerage come true.
Speaking exclusively to the DC Thomson Media podcast The Stooshie during a visit to Dundee, Ms Davidson said she was unaware who would nominate her for a peerage but added the idea was “flattering”.
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Ms Davidson, who stood down as leader in the summer following Boris Johnson’s election as Conservative leader and prime minister, added she would be unlikely to accept a position in Mr Johnson’s government should she become a peer.
I am not coming back after the election. I think I have more to give to politics and I could either stand for election again but– and I don’t know if this is being offered – but if it is I would need to give it serious consideration.”
— Ruth Davidson MSP
Unelected members of the Lords can take cabinet positions and several secretaries of state in Mr Johnson’s government have not been elected.
Nicky Morgan, made Baroness Morgan of Cotes, retained her position as Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport despite having stood down as an MP for the House of Commons at the last election.
Ms Davidson, who will stand down as an MSP for Edinburgh Central in March 2021, said she would “seriously consider” taking a seat in the House of Lords.
The prime minister is understood to have included the Edinburgh MSP alongside a number of other party figures on his Dissolution Honours List, which is likely to be published next week.
‘Flattering’
She said: “It is really flattering to be considered. The job the House of Lords does is to scrutinise legislation which has already been drafted in the House of Commons.
“They need people with legislative experience and I think having people from other houses, rather than just the Commons there.
“There are dozens of people who have been MSPs who have ended up in the House of Lords so there is a good headcount there.
“It is important people from different legislatures bring their experience to bear on it.”
When asked if she would accept a peerage, Ms Davidson added: “There are pretty few people who would turn it down.
“I have made no secret I am going to be leaving Holyrood in March next year, when all MSPs resign.
“I am not coming back after the election. I think I have more to give to politics and I could either stand for election again but– and I don’t know if this is being offered – but if it is I would need to give it serious consideration.”
‘Conflicted about Brexit’
When asked if she would take a ministerial position as a member of the House of Lords, Ms Davidson said her conflict with the government over Brexit could make it difficult.
“I am not looking for another big job and I have been honest about that up front.
“As someone who was a big Remainer, I am pretty conflicted about Brexit. The election means we know what course the country is on now, which happened after I stood down and there was a big discussion whether Brexit would happen or not and the election means it is going to happen. But in terms of do I want to sit in a ministerial office in London and leave my son, then no I don’t.”
