WHAT is shamefully lacking right now in our divisive, toxic world of politics is MPs who are decent human beings.
We appear to be surrounded by a majority of mendacious, greedy careerists with all the warmth and humanity of an Antarctic winter. There are scant few exceptions.
One is the extremely likeable Ruth Davidson, who almost single-handedly revived the fortunes of the Conservative Party in Scotland.
She is as smart as a whip, refreshingly honest and has a wicked sense of humour.
Ruth is the kind of woman you know would be great company at the dinner table or over a drink in the pub.
I met up with her this week for her first TV interview since stepping down as Scottish Tory leader and she has gone up further in my estimation.
No matter your politics, you have to admire someone who puts their family and their principles ahead of their career.
Ruth gave birth to her son almost a year ago and it is clear that along with her partner Jen, baby Finn is the light of her life.
HAMSTER WHEEL
Since his birth, Ruth has been struggling — like all new mothers — with getting that work/life balance right.
For her, it was clear she could not continue in the exhausting, stress-filled hamster wheel of front-line politics if she wanted to be the kind of parent she feels her little boy deserves.
It was interesting to see the reaction to her decision from politicians and voters across the spectrum.
Even those with very different views politically expressed their sorrow at her departure, while acknowledging her reasons for stepping down.
As well as putting her partner and baby first, Ruth takes a dim view of Boris and his Brexit shenanigans.
She was a passionate Remain campaigner and so impressed in TV debates that she was touted as a future Tory leader.
She was self-deprecating enough to laugh that off, telling me: “A king across the water is only attractive if they stay across the water.
NASTY POLITICS
“As soon as they get in the mix, they become much less attractive.”
Ruth will stay on as a Member of the Scottish Parliament but her much-reduced workload means she is enjoying life’s simple pleasures, like going for a walk with Jen and pushing Finn in his pram.
She is only 40 and I think one day she would be a very impressive PM.
But like Oprah Winfrey, who is always being touted as an ideal candidate for President of the US, she values her quality of life over high office.
Maybe one day she might be persuaded to rethink. But until then, she will be sadly missed.
Meanwhile, we have to make do with Boris — described this week as a “dishonest estate agent” by former PM John Major — and there seems to be no end to the nasty politics that has become the norm.
Ten years ago, Labour PM Gordon Brown stood up in the House of Commons and offered heartfelt sympathy to David Cameron following the death of his son Ivan.
That sort of respect does not exist any more — and without politicians like Ruth Davidson, it is less likely than ever to return.
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