Analysis: Speech falls flat after David Cameron’s dressing down

THE high hope of the Conservative Party faithful who made their way to Troon for the party conference was that this trip to the seaside would see a new and youthful leader inject some much needed life into a rather tired party.

Of course, it was a big ask for Ruth Davidson to somehow produce the magic required to transform the Tories in a single weekend.

And, unfortunately for her, she was unable to do so. First off the Scottish party was given a telling-off from David Cameron, when he implored his colleagues north of the Border to end the “timidity” and their “hand-wringing”.

The failure of the party in Scotland to get any sort of meaningful support is clearly becoming hugely frustrating for a Prime Minister, desperate not to go down in history at the man who lost the Union.

Cameron’s frustration appeared to pile the pressure on Davidson when she had the unenviable task of following the Prime Minister on to the stage in the conference hall.

Not only was Davidson speaking after the main attraction, but she addressed a conference hall, barely two thirds full. Perhaps that can partially explain why her speech felt a little bit flat.

To be fair, it may have appeared a low key effort but it had a few good intentions, which at least recognised some of the problems faced by the party she now leads.

Those problems were also etched into the faces of the delegates, the vast majority of whom were either approaching, or had already reached, senior citizen status.

She pledged a policy review and a review of the Conservative method of selecting Holyrood candidates – a measure designed to promote fresh talent and chop out some of the dead wood in the party.

Despite this, at a time when it would have been helpful to her cause for Davidson to deliver a cracker of a speech, the barnstormer failed to take off.

There are those in her party who remain to be convinced that this new leader has what it takes and winning them over is still a challenge.

More importantly from her party and the pro-Union campaign’s point of view, Davidson has also to persuade those beyond the Tory party that she will be a serious player. That will take time, a rather precious commodity given the looming independence referendum.

If she is to succeed, much will depend on how successful her reforms will prove to be and whether she can turn round this ageing political institution to create the vibrant, strong, centre right party in Scotland that the Prime Minister so desperately wants.