RUTH Davidson's return to FMQs has sparked fury online, with Twitter users saying she was "clearly rattled" and her performance was a "dismal failure".
The former Scottish Tory leader is temporarily fronting the party’s group in Holyrood following the ousting of Jackson Carlaw, and the uncontested election of Douglas Ross as leader.
Though it was claimed at the time that Carlaw had chosen to stand down of his own accord, the process has been dogged by claims of a plot.It's known that Davidson and Ross met just days before their colleague decided the top job wasn't for him.
As Ross was appointed Scottishg Tory leader, it was announced that Davidson would take over at FMQs again – despite the party having two deputies, MSPs Annie Wells and Liam Kerr.
But Davidson's FMQs appearance hasn't gone down well online. Here are the best reactions:
1.
Ruth Davidson wants the SQA to send everyone their exams scripts back.
— Colin McAllister (@McAllister1973) August 12, 2020
The exams this year...[checks notes]...didn't happen.#FMQs
2.
Well Ruth Davidson's return has certainly highlighted the enormous gulf in quality between her and the First Minister. A terrible start. #FMQs
— Fergus Mutch (@Fergoodness) August 12, 2020
3.
The Tories were dead excited about Ruth Davidson returning to #FMQs
— Boab Thomas (@MeanwhileScotia) August 12, 2020
Bless 😂 pic.twitter.com/pnRhUWH1OW
4.
This is a poor performance by Ruth Davidson. Not at the races today #FMQs
— Paul Hutcheon (@paulhutcheon) August 12, 2020
5.
Ruth Davidson's performance today is proof that she really is a mediocre, talentless politician. Aye, I'd take a gig at the Lords too if I were her, at least she's unaccountable there. #FMQs
— WG Saraband 🏴🇵🇹🏳️🌈 (@wgsaraband) August 12, 2020
6.
Given Davidson’s dismal failure at #FMQs today I imagine Dross & his London masters are regretting dragging her out of retirement. Their problem is, of course, that they have no talent among their MSPs who could do better.
— Child of Alba 🏴 (@ChildOfAlba) August 12, 2020
7.
If you're feeling low & need a reminder of how good life can be or just need a laugh, pls watch Nicola Sturgeon roast @RuthDavidsonMSP at #FMQs today. 👊🏼 https://t.co/kxZVqzc1bN
— alispinner ✊🏼 (@ACSpinner) August 12, 2020
8.
Ruth Davidson absolutely wiped out at #FMQs today, she might as well go to the unelected chamber already...
— Cameron 1876 (@JagsFanCG) August 12, 2020
9.
Ruth Davidson has had her arse handed to her by Nicola Sturgeon already and we really do love to see it, I hope Boris and the rest of the tory pricks were watching 😎 #FMQs
— Courtney 🍀 (@cheesybiscuit_) August 12, 2020
READ MORE: Ruth Davidson calls for more accountability ahead of move to un-elected House of Lords
10.
Me: For fuck sake, why is #RuthTheMooth trending now?
— Skybow (@TalinSkybow) August 12, 2020
Checks to see she got owned in #FMQs for abandoning her party in Scotland, to sit on BoJo's lap and get a seat in the house of lords, despite having a FANTASTIC losing streak in Scottish Elections pic.twitter.com/M1UrV3i1C0
11.
Translation: Scots Tories now realise most Scots now know that the Vow was a lie, so Ruth is pretending she was furious about it at the time. It's amazing isn't it how many UK Tory policies she says she was against, after it is too late to do anything about them. #RuthTheMooth https://t.co/TQUkWZpdVA
— MajorBloodnok 🏴🇮🇪🇪🇺 (@MajorMcBloodnok) June 4, 2018
12.
Ruth Davidson talking about "loyalty to colleagues" whilst Jackson Carlaw is hiding somewhere repeating "Et tu, Ruthus?" to himself, the utter cheek #FMQs
— WG Saraband 🏴🇵🇹🏳️🌈 (@wgsaraband) August 12, 2020
13.
"I'm not scared of scrutiny and I'm not scared of the electorate either"
— WillieMillersMoustache (@williemillersm1) August 12, 2020
Ruth's face. #fmqs pic.twitter.com/XxfloDwzJh
14.
Oh, dear. Davidson makes a jibe about loyalty to colleagues. FM launches back a zinger: doesn’t think loyalty to colleagues is Ruth’s strongpoint. Ouch. #FMQs
— Child of Alba 🏴 (@ChildOfAlba) August 12, 2020
15.
Ruth Davidson's return before she pops off down to the House of Lords to don her ermine, has undoubtedly exposed the rift in quality between her and the First Minister.
— Dexter Turriff-Davies (@Dexterishuman_) August 12, 2020
Honesty and compassion will always trump petty, anger driven politicking in times of crisis. #FMQs
16.
Ruth's first day back on the front bench didn't go so well for her. Ill-prepared and comprehensively routed. #FMQs
— Lindsay Bruce (@RogueCoder250) August 12, 2020
17.
Despite everything that's happened over the last week, *somehow* Ruth Davidson has managed to mess up her first #FMQs coming back as leader of the Tory MSP group.
— Cameron (@TheStirlingWolf) August 12, 2020
18.
Ruth Davidsons performance at #fmqs was so bad today she's had to ask Douglas Ross to stand down.
— WillieMillersMoustache (@williemillersm1) August 12, 2020
19.
Woah - FM on fire today. Now pointing out the utter hypocrisy of Ruth talking about accountability when she’s entrenching herself in unaccountable HoL as FM faces ‘ultimate accountability’ at election next year. #FMQs pic.twitter.com/jpodN7kyIU
— Child of Alba 🏴 (@ChildOfAlba) August 12, 2020
20.
Ruth Davidson very much channelling the star striker who definitely should not have returned for a second spell vibe at #FMQs today
— Andrew McQuillan (@ajmcq1993) August 12, 2020
21.
Davidson clearly rattled. She knows her peerage is untenable and can’t be defended. FM makes another swipe at the jugular. I think most Scots share that ‘old-fashioned preference’ that politicians get elected before they rule over us. #FMQs pic.twitter.com/o55Oc2XaQH
— Child of Alba 🏴 (@ChildOfAlba) August 12, 2020
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