Ruth Davidson praised for resigning due to pressures of being parent.
Mothers who gave up careers to look after children praise Ruth Davidson after she quits to spend more time with her son – and say they ‘absolutely get her decision’
- Ruth Davidson, 40, cited pressures of being parent as reason for resignation
- The mother-of-one has been a Scottish Tory leader for the past eight years
- Said being ‘good leader’ has proved her a poor ‘daughter, sister and partner’
- Working mothers took to social media to praise her decision to put family first
Mothers have thrown their support at Ruth Davidson for announcing she will resign as Scottish Tory leader after eight years due to the pressures of being a new parent.
In her impassioned resignation letter, the mother-of-one, 40, referenced the birth of her son Finn with her partner Jen Wilson as the biggest change in her life.
She wrote: ‘I fear that having tried to be a good leader over the years, I have proved a poor daughter, sister, partner and friend.’
‘The party and my work has always come first, often at the expense of commitments to loved ones. The arrival of my son means I now make a different choice.’
And many women lamenting the loss of their careers due to the duties of being a mother have spoken out in support of Ruth.
‘As a mum who gave up work to focus on her baby – I absolutely get Ruth Davidson’s decision.. and wish her well,’ wrote one, while a second penned: ‘I like Ruth Davidson, Sometimes a mum makes her baby a priority in her life, which is the correct way to behave, people make their own decisions in life.’
Ruth Davidson has been commended by mothers for announcing she will resign as Scottish Tory leader after eight years due to the pressures of being a new parent. Pictured, during her resignation speech at The Macdonald Hotel, Edinburgh on August 29, 2019
Ruth Davidson cited son Finn, who she has with partner Jen Wilson, as being the biggest change in her life. Pictured, with him after his safe arrival at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary
One mother who also gave up her career for parenting duties said: ‘As a mum who gave up work to focus on her baby – I absolutely get Ruth Davidson’s decision’ (pictured)
A third added: ‘Her statement made it crystal clear. She has not been as close to her parents and her partner because of politics – which she regrets. Now she has a son, she cannot risk doing the same.’
The rising Tory star told how she was ‘delighted’ to have given birth to Finn Paul Davidson at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary back on 26 October 2018.
But today she gave an emotional speech about her family, saying spending time away from home ‘filled her with dread’.
While many admitted they ‘sympathised’ with Ruth, others suggested her reasoning highlighted that there’s still a long way to go for equality.
Ruth Davidson (right) arriving with partner Jen Wilson to cast her vote at Cafe Camino, St Mary’s Parish Centre in Edinburgh for the Scottish parliamentary elections on polling day in may 2016
Ruth Davidson penned this letter to the party chairman today and cited her son Finn as being one of the biggest changes
‘Ruth Davidson’s letter will be scoured for mention of Boris Johnson & Brexit, but the line is a reminder that we have a long way to go to make it possible for more women (mothers especially) to both reach *and stay in* positions of power,’ wrote one.
While a second enthused: ‘I am so impressed with Ruth Davidson. A pioneer lesbian AND new mother, senior MP, politically brave and open about mental health struggles.
‘Stepping away from Boris and prioritising family for a while is so sensible. She’ll be back .’
A further cited Ruth Davidson’s resignation speech as highlighting ‘the very real challenge of being a leader, mother, partner, daughter, sister and auntie.’
The former leader, who is credited with masterminding the party’s revival north of the Border, has been an outspoken critic of both Boris Johnson and Brexit.
But she neither criticises nor praises the Prime Minister in her letter, saying only she has, ‘not hidden the conflict I have felt over Brexit’.
Women spoke out in support of Ruth, with one saying ‘prioritising family for a while is so sensible’
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