RUTH Davidson has been named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people of the year – one of only two British politicians to appear on the annual list.
The Scottish Conservative leader was dubbed a pioneer by the American publication, which credits her party’s resurrection to Ms Davidson’s “refreshing, rambunctious style”.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan is the only other UK politician to appear on the list, which also includes Donald Trump, Prince Harry and pop culture icons such as Rihanna.
A spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives said Ms Davidson was “extremely honoured to be included on such a list”.
He added: “And while she’s flattered to receive an accolade from across the Atlantic, her full focus remains on her job here in Scotland.”
In a profile written by historian Niall Ferguson, the Scottish Tory leader is earmarked as a future Prime Minister.
He wrote: “The party’s resurrection—it won 31 seats in the Scottish Parliament in 2016 and 29 per cent of the Scottish vote in last year’s U.K. general election—owes much to the refreshing, rambunctious style of Ruth Davidson.”
He added: “An opponent of both Scottish independence and Brexit, Davidson stands out as a proponent of same-sex marriage. Indeed, she and partner Jen Wilson are currently planning their wedding.
“Could she be a future British Prime Minister, succeeding the beleaguered Theresa May? ‘I love London,’ she has said. ‘No plans to move there myself, but great to visit.’ Many voters south of the border would love her to reconsider.”
Famous faces to appear on this year’s Time list include Cambridge Analytica whistleblower Christopher Wylie, Oprah Winfrey, Roger Federer, Jennifer Lopez and Meghan Markle.
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