Who should kick-start the Tory revival?

ven a decade ago it would have been impossible to imagine the Scottish Tories being led by a gay former Territorial Army woman soldier with a penchant for kick-boxing. The Caledonian Conservatives’ blue-rinse and blazer stalwarts would have choked on their tea and shortbread at the very idea.

It is a mark of how much the Tories north of the Border have changed for the better that Ruth Davidson is standing for the party leadership without there being any suggestion her sexuality (not to mention her recreational activity) has any relevance in the contest.

Yet there is an irony in her candidature. She would be a radical choice, but her opposition to going any further than the Calman plans for income tax powers for Holyrood, makes her a small “c” conservative in the leadership battle.

In terms of policy, her rival Murdo Fraser is far more radical in promoting a daring blueprint to abolish the Scottish Conservatives and form a new right-of-centre party open to Holyrood taking a raft of wide-ranging powers from Westminster.

No-one doubts the Scottish Tories must be radical to revive their battered fortunes. The question for party members is whether to opt for policy or personal radicalism.