Last night’s BBC Brexit debate was a refreshing change from the dreck we’ve been subjected to for the past two months, mostly because of one woman – Ruth Davidson.
Her common-touch engagement with the audience, and ability to present the facts clearly and comprehensibly solidified her position as a potential future Tory leader, whilst simultaneously firebombing David Cameron.
The PM spent the afternoon scaremongering – with a desperate, last-ditch announcement outside from No 10, guilt-tripping elderly Britain’s out of throwing their grandchildren off a metaphorical cliff.
Davidson attracted applause for her frank argument that Britain retains sovereignty whilst remaining a member of the EU.
And Cameron – who is chronically afraid of tackling opponents head-on – should be worried, because Davidson has done more work for the Remain campaign in an evening than he has managed in the past couple of months.
She represents what many would say are not typical Tory attributes. She’s down to earth, open about her sexuality, and isn’t afraid to discuss her personal life and penchant for pub-crawling in Edinburgh.
She has created an image of approachability, for those from all backgrounds and social classes – she speaks to women, men, the LGBT community and across class boundaries.
She can relate on a level Cameron never could, thanks to his inescapable Eton boy persona.
Even sworn Tory foes reacting to Davidson online said they would be happy to see her ascend to still greater powers on the back of her performance tonight.
In one evening she solidified her position, and gained a whole new hoard of followers, who never thought they would be able to relate, god forbid, to a Tory.
The Conservative Party needs change, and this referendum has shown not just the divisions within their ranks, but the fact that the likeliest contenders are 40-plus, loud mouthed men, who can produced statistics ad nauseam, but cannot engage with ordinary people.
Even Boris has worn thin his “funny man” persona is long gone, regardless of the bendy banana talk.
Ruth Davidson offers an alternative for her party if they wish to survive tomorrow’s monumental vote – and it’s time for her to get more moments in the sun.