Ruth Davidson told Tories to “get behind” the Prime Minister as the Scottish Conservative leader was accused of losing control of her own MPs.
In her speech to conference, the Edinburgh MSP called for the party to unify and rise above the “sound and fury”.
But her message was undermined by claims she could not rein in outspoken Scots MP Ross Thomson, the Tory Brexiteer who has trashed Theresa May’s Chequers plan as an “unmitigated disaster”.
Ms Davidson told party activists that the public wants Brexit to be delivered so the focus can be on meeting voters’ concerns about having a decent job,a home of their own and security in retirement.
“Let’s get behind the Prime Minister, so she can get Brexit done,” she said.
Willie Rennie, the Scottish Liberal Democrat leader, said Ms Davidson backs ploughing on with Brexit despite knowing the damage it will cause.
“What’s more, she has lost control of her own MPs,” the Fife MSP said.
“Ross Thomson has chosen the Brexit fundamentalists over her.”
Ms Davidson, who grew up in Fife, said the most important thing from Brexit is preserving the Union.
Claiming to be “tired” of talking about the constitution, she added: “Let’s commit to making this our number one priority.
“To make sure that the Union – our Union – emerges stronger, not weaker, from these next few weeks. That is what matters the most.”
Ruling out again her desire to prime minister, Ms Davidson said she was aiming to be First Minister.
“I want to lead the country – and leave the SNP’s decade of division behind us,” she said.
SNP depute leader Keith Brown said: “We know that Ruth Davidson is a sell-out – she used to be a vocal advocate for remaining in the EU, and keeping Scotland in the single market.
“But today she’s doubled down on support for Theresa May’s jobs-wrecking Brexit which will cost Scotland’s economy dearly, put our NHS at risk, drive businesses into the ground and leave us all worse off.”
