Holyrood Magazine issue 398 / 26 February 2018

Scottish Conservative Party Spring Conference 2018: featuring interview with Ruth Davidson, Scottish Conservative party leader, original comment by the Prime Minister, Theresa May, and a closer look at the 13 Scottish Tory MPs at Westminster. Also: Tackling plastic waste – do current plans go far enough?

3 Editor’s note

While my inclination is to always side with the perceived victims in cases of sexual harassment, I worry too that natural justice is being sacrificed by political parties

6 Roundup

Pictures and numbers from the past two weeks

7 Talking Point

Can local government cope with the childcare expansion?

9 Digital Highlights

The best of Twitter and Holyrood’s online content

10 Political Spotlight

What is the SNP depute leader position for?

15 Cover Story: Tory Party Spring Conference

The roots of Conservative success in 2021 lie in policy and places

19 Comment: Rt Hon Theresa May

The Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party is in victorious mood

22 Interview: Ruth Davidson

The Scottish Conservative leader reflects on the party’s turn of fortune

28 Focus: The 13 Tory MPs at Westminster

A look at the new Scottish contingent on the Conservative benches

31 Feature: Tackling plastics

Plastics are damaging our natural environment, but do current plans go far enough?

36 Event Report

Digital health and care awards and event

40 Getting to Know You

What did Gillian Martin’s students call her?

42 Comment

Loki: Time to engage with the Tories

44 Diary

Fox attack, and what difference does Morrissey make?

45 Politicians and their pets

Labour councillor Eva Murray’s campaigning cat

46 Last Word

Sketch: David Davis travels to Vienna to promise the UK will do its best to avoid turning into a Mad Max style dystopia

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